The plan to regenerate Withington Village is set to be adopted following a consultation posted out to over a thousand properties in the area.
After consultation information was sent to more than 1,200 properties in the south Manchester suburb in January of this year – supplemented by COVID-secure online events – to agree a long-term strategy to support future investment in the area, Manchester City Council has revealed that local residents, organisations and businesses have shown “overwhelming support” for proposals to improve and develop Withington Village.
90% of respondents either strongly agreed, or agreed with the proposals set out in the framework.
The Withington Village Framework will aim to establish a vision for Withington as a liveable place, generate confidence in the area for future investment, provide support for future funding bids, and resent options for how future design and investment could be achieved.
According to Manchester City Council, some of the key findings from the consultation include responses related to reducing the levels of traffic in the village, with a view to making the area more pedestrian and cycling friendly, alongside strong support for reducing the number of junctions onto Wilmslow Road though the village, as well as the introduction of wider pavements, limiting the number of loading bays on the high street and improving pedestrian crossings.
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Significant support was also received around the potential to pedestrianise Copson Street, while ensuring local access.
Another common theme of the respondents was around increasing greenery and tree planting in the area, along with more opportunities for public parks and family friendly public spaces, and improving the look and feel of the high street was high on the agenda too, with the wish to see shop front and signage improved, as well as the express hope to attract more independent businesses.
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The conversation and celebration of Withington Village’s rich history was also often brought up, including the area’s diversity, which should be celebrated.
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Speaking on the consultation findings, Councillor Suzanne Richards – Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration – said: “We have a community in Withington that is incredibly committed to driving positive change in and their partnership approach and dedication to improving their neighbourhood is impressive and has achieved real results already.
“The positive responses that we have received following the consultation early this year shows that we also have the support of the wider community and we will continue to work closely with the Withington Partnership as individual schemes are brought forward.
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“Hopefully increased investment in the village will follow”.
Dave Payne, Chair of the Withington Village Regeneration Partnership – a committed collective of local groups and initiatives set up in 2017 to actively pursue a community led policy and encourage positive regeneration in Withington – added: “This feels somewhat momentus in the lifespan of the village.
“Our group has been working for the last five years to develop proposals for schemes to improve and enhance our neighbourhood.
“I’m pleased to see that previous projects – such as Withington Walls – has been broadly welcomed by the local community, and we should look forward to further strides to bring positive investment in the coming months and years.”
The Withington Village Framework will be heard by the Manchester City Council’s Economy Scrutiny Committee today (Thursday 11th March) ahead of agreement by the council’s Executive next Wednesday 17th March.
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Once formally adopted, individual projects will be developed as part of the improvement plans for the local community.
You can find more information via the Manchester City Council website here.
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Labrador puppy dies after being ‘deliberately thrown’ into Greater Manchester marina
Daisy Jackson
A five-month-old Labrador puppy has died after being ‘deliberately thrown’ into a marina in Greater Manchester last week, suffering ‘multiple fractures’.
The tiny pooch was initially pulled to safety by a passing member of the public, who found her struggling in the water between two boats.
The black puppy, who was nicknamed Peggy by RSCPA staff, had suffered such severe breaks to her jaw that she would have been unable to eat or drink and was humanely put to sleep.
The RSPCA is now urging local businesses to check their CCTV for any information relating to this shocking incident, and for any witnesses or people who recognise Peggy to come forward.
The puppy was thrown into the water at the Portland Basin Marina in Ashton-under-Lyne last Wednesday 12 March, and was pulled from the water by a passer-by at around 3.20pm.
Peggy was found near the steel footbridge with no sign of anyone nearby.
When Peggy was found, she was lethargic and extremely cold, and though she was stabilised and transferred to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital later that day, her serious and inoperable injuries led to her being put to sleep.
Her jaw appeared to have been prised open, leaving her tongue hanging out and the poor puppy suffering.
Peggy was not microchipped and it’s not known if her injuries happened as a result of the fall, or if they occurred beforehand.
Labrador puppy Peggy dies after being ‘deliberately thrown’ into Greater Manchester marina. Credit: RSPCA
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Kate Sargent, who is investigating, said: “Everyone who has been involved in this terrible incident has been left feeling shocked and saddened by what happened to Peggy.
“It’s hard to understand how anyone could do something like this to such a young dog. We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the kind people who got her out of the water and sought help, and to the veterinary teams who saw her.
“We’d appeal to anyone who recognises Peggy or who was at the marina at the time to get in touch so we can progress this investigation further. We are also asking nearby businesses and homes in the surrounding area to check their CCTV and video doorbells.”
Anyone with first-hand information is urged to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01467665.
NHS slam ‘unacceptable’ rise in physical violence and sexual assault towards frontline staff
Emily Sergeant
Frontline NHS staff are facing a rise in physical violence, inappropriate sexual behaviour, and discrimination at the hands of members of the public.
According to the shocking revelations from the latest annual NHS staff survey published last week, around one in seven NHS staff (14.38%) experienced some from of physical violence directed at them from patients, their relatives, or other members of the public in 2024.
The report revealed that the number of attacks on staff has increased by nearly 14% since 2023.
Staff experiencing discrimination at work reached also reached its highest level in five years, with more than half (54%) saying the discrimination they received from patients and the public was based on their ethnic background.
One in 12 (8.82%) NHS workers experienced unwanted sexual behaviour in 2024, which included offensive comments, touching, and even assault.
Frontline NHS staff are facing a rise in physical violence at the hands of the public / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
On top of these findings from the staff survey, the national education and training survey – which was also published last week, and seeks to hear the thoughts and experiences of those currently training within the medical field – found that 13% of learners said they experienced or witnessed forms of ‘unwanted, harmful, or inappropriate’ sexual behaviour by patients.
A whopping 744,358 NHS staff members took part in the 2024 survey, which is the highest ever level in staff in its 20-year history.
The survey gives a snapshot of what it’s like to work in the NHS, right from the beginning of a career, throughout their working lives, and into retirement, and are used by NHS organisations to ‘make things better’ for staff and patients.
They’re also being subjected to inappropriate sexual behaviour and discrimination / Credit: rawpixel
“It’s totally unacceptable that NHS staff are facing physical violence, sexual assault, and discrimination from patients and the public while at work,” commented Dr Navina Evans, who is the Chief Workforce, Training and Education Officer for NHS England, as the survey findings were published.
“We know that the most important way to stamp out incidents of unacceptable behaviour is to give people the confidence to report it, and it is important that the voice of every member of NHS staff is heard through these surveys and acted upon.
“The NHS sexual safety charter has also now been adopted by every integrated care board and NHS trust in England to enforce a zero-tolerance approach to letting unwanted behaviours go unaddressed”.
Emily Sergeant -
11th March 2021 
