Greater Manchester’s transport network is struggling to cope as Storm Franklin batters the region, and people are being advised not to travel.
Trams, trains and the road network are all experience delays, cancellations and closures due to high winds.
The Met office has issued a yellow weather warning across much of the UK until 1pm today.
Many train companies are urging people not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Some of the most major disruption to travel caused by Storm Franklin today is on the M60.
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A section of the busy motorway near Trafford Park is closed in both directions due to an overturned lorry.
A deserted M60 this morning during Storm Franklin while an overturned lorry is recovered
The M60 is closed clockwise between J9 and J11, and anti-clockwise between J11 and J10, while the vehicle – which is resting on the central reservation – is recovered.
The A34 Kingsway is closed in both directions near Mauldeth Road due to a fallen tree, while flooding has closed Flixton Road in Carrington and the A555 near Styal Road.
Several smaller roads across the region are also blocked by fallen trees, so avoiding travel is advised.
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On public transport, train services in and out of Manchester are facing delays and cancellations.
Northern Rail cancelled all of its services this morning.
⛔️Due to the severe weather and numerous incidents, caused by #StormFranklin, we will be terminating all services in the North West. No further trains until at least 10:30, and this might be extended. Do not attempt to travel, do not head to stations as there are no alternatives. pic.twitter.com/55X7aAnT4k
Storm Franklin has also wreaked on Metrolink lines today, with a fallen tree near Victoria halting services on the Bury and Rochdale lines.
The tree has now been removed, but services are still experiencing delays while everything gets back up and running.
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Metrolink passengers are still able to use their tram tickets on bus services 41, 97, 98, 135 and 524 (for the Bury line) and 59, 81, 83, 181, 182 and 184 (for the Rochdale line).
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.