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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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
Manchester councillor Bev Craig has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List
Danny Jones
The leader of Manchester City Council and representative for Burnage, Bev Craig, has officially been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours List for 2026.
Councillor Craig, who has held her leadership position since October 2021, received the OBE for her services to local government.
She joins several other regional councillors to be named by King Charles III.
First elected by Burnage residents back in 2011, she has spent more than a decade and a half devoting her professional life to the community, as well as nearly a whole five years of that time at the highest level within the Council.
The University of Manchester graduate has played several key roles throughout her career, including giving back to higher education, helping trade unions, as well as serving as an executive member for adult social care and health during the pandemic, before serving as Deputy and eventually Leader.
Speaking in an official statement, Craig said: “To receive an OBE is a huge privilege, and to get awarded it for what I’ve been able to give back to our city is all the more special.
“Manchester is an incredible city, made special by its people and a place I’m proud to call home.
“Leading our city is a privilege I don’t take for granted, so to get awarded an OBE for what we’ve been doing to make Manchester an even better place to live and improve the lives of Manchester people, while creating a city that is fairer and more inclusive for generations to come, is the real honour.”
With the Council having also confirmed two special NYE events on either side of the Town Hall this year, it feels like a fitting celebration.
Congratulations to Bev Craig on the well-deserved accolade and title; we have no doubt she’ll continue to excel in her post.
You can find the King’s 2026 New Year Honours List HERE.
As for the discussion around knighthoods, many Brits are currently calling for a change in the rules in hopes of making OBE, CBE and MBE, Kevin Sinfield a Sir.
Featured Images — Publicity picture (via Manchester City Council)
News
VAR audio requested as Nottingham Forest prepare complaint after Man City defeat
Danny Jones
Nottingham Forest have requested that the VAR audio from their game against Manchester City be released, as they are considering launching a formal complaint following the defeat.
Forest hosted Man City at home this past weekend and went on to lose 2-1.
However, Sean Dyche’s side are said to be ‘extremely unhappy’ with some of the refereeing decisions made by first official, Rob Jones, on the day.
As a result, they are now asking the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to share some of the conversations between on-pitch officials and the VAR team at Stockley Park in West London.
"I'm scratching my head and I can't believe it!" 😳
Sean Dyche wasn't happy with the officiating in their loss to Man City 😬
As you can see, Dyche initially said that “there’s no point” in pushing the refs on their performance, as he feels they usually only “get in trouble”, but it looks as though his employers have advocated for him.
Nottingham Forest had a problem with the final call in a number of instances during the festive fixture on Saturday, 27 December, but none more so than in one key moment.
The manager and his coaching team felt that Rayan Cherki’s 83rd-minute winner should have been cancelled out following a foul by Nico O’Reilly on Morgan Gibbs-White in the preceding corner, which may have prevented Cherki from scoring another decisive finish.
Dyche also argued that another City defender, Ruben Dias, was due a second yellow card and therefore dismissal from the pitch for a challenge after the break, but there was ultimately nothing doing.
You can see the collision here:
"I do have sympathy for Sean Dyche… it is a second yellow card!"
Ref Watch discuss whether Ruben Dias should have been sent off against Nottingham Forest. pic.twitter.com/dxTYmGsEqZ
According to Sky Sports News, Nottingham have already requested more information from the refereeing body, with this not being the first time they’ve felt hard done by.
As they put it, the hope/belief is that raising the issue could help “start a broader discussion around officiating this season.”
What do you make of Forest’s concerns against Manchester City, and do you think they’re worthy of launching an official complaint against the PGMOL and Premier League?
You can see the highlights from the game and perhaps decide for yourself down below.
Daisy Jackson -
21st February 2022 
