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You can now have your say on improving walking and cycling in Manchester city centre

Manchester City Council wants to "make it easier" for people to commute in the city by cycling, walking or by public transport.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 24th May 2022

A new consultation is set to lay out the latest plans for walking and cycling improvements across Manchester city centre.

And it means local residents can now have their say.

Following a previous consultation in 2021, Manchester City Council’s has already set out in its City Centre Transport Strategy the aim for 90% of all morning peak trips to the city centre to be made on foot, by cycle, or using public transport by 2040 – but the public will now be asked again for their views on changes to the road layout at a number of key routes.

In the new consultation, changes are proposed for Chester Road, Bridgewater Viaduct, Deansgate, Whitworth Street, Whitworth Street West, Fairfield Street, Aytoun Street, and London Road.

Some of the proposed changes include the construction of new footways and traffic islands, a new controlled pedestrian crossings and crossing points, a new segregated cycleway with a mixture of kerbed segregation and flexible bollards, and upgraded junctions with pedestrian cycle facilites.

Read more: Manchester City Council announce £600k plan to transform city centre for cycling

New loading bays, and 20mph zone signs and road markings, are some of the other changes being proposed.

A new consultation is set to lay out the latest plans for walking and cycling improvements across Manchester city centre / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | TfGM

“Through previous consultations, we know that the public are in favour of steps to reduce the number of cars in the city centre and make it easier for people to commute in the city by cycling, walking or by public transport,” said Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment at Manchester City Council.

“Manchester has an ambitious goal of becoming zero carbon by 2038 and it is through schemes like the Active Travel Fund that we will encourage people to a long-term shift to more sustainable and green ways of travelling. 

“I hope people will take the time to take part in this consultation and help shape a city centre which is cleaner and greener.”

The consultation is now live, and will be running until Monday 19 June.

An online consultation event will take place on Thursday 26 May at 6:30pm – 7:30pm, before an in-person event happens on Wednesday 1 June in Manchester city centre between 4pm and 7pm – and you can find more information here.

Featured Image – TfGM

News

Heartbreaking tributes are being paid after 23-year-old hit by car in Stockport dies from injuries

Danny Jones Danny Jones Joel Sheldon death Bredbury Stockport death tributes

Tributes are pouring in on social media following the death of a local young man from Bredbury, Stockport, who was tragically hit by a car last weekend.

Joel Corey Sheldon, who was just 23, sadly died on Saturday, 21 June, after being struck by a vehicle on the previous Friday night at around 10:20pm.

The Stopfordian was rushed to the hospital immediately, but was later pronounced dead from his injuries despite the best efforts of the paramedics and emergency services. He is survived by his parents, Gaz and Cheryl, as well as two brothers, Leo and Harvey.

Following the news of his passing, family members, friends and countless others throughout the Bredbury community and beyond have been paying their respects to what was, by all accounts, a “fun-loving popular young man.”

In a heartfelt tribute issued on Tuesday afternoon (24 Jun), Joel’s family wrote: “Our beautiful son Joel was caring, kind, and loved by everyone who knew him.

“He smiled constantly and loved life. His energy was infectious, and the outpouring of love for him has made us so immensely proud. We will love him and miss him for the rest of our lives.”

Writing on Facebook, the youngster’s godfather, Martin Smith, added: “RIP Joel Sheldon, I was so proud to be your godfather and part of your life. I’ll miss our chats.

“Even when you were gaming back in the day, you always were so polite to me. I love you, and the amount of broken hearts shows what a beautiful young man you were…”

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) say they received reports of a collision involving a Vauxhall Corsa and a pedestrian on Lower Bents Lane, close to The Greyhound Pub, with the car being seen heading in the direction of Redhouse Lane when the collision occurred. No suspects have been identified thus far.

A fundraising page has now been set up in Joel’s memory, with people donating to help cover the cost of his funeral and ‘any additional costs incurred by the family.’

Set up by fellow Bredbury native and family friend, Eleanor Moore, the description of the page reads: “The Sheldons are very much at the heart of the Bredbury community, and we would like to take away the financial strain at this difficult time.” Over £23,000 has been raised already.

Nearby pub, The Queens – located further up the same road on which he was unfortunately hit – also posted the GoFundMe link and has been sharing official updates from GMP, as have a number of other local businesses and organisations.

As for the latest from the authorities, police are appealing for more information, urging anyone with any more details regarding the incident, no matter how small, to come forward as soon as possible.

This includes Bredbury locals, eyewitnesses in the area at the time; dashcam and/or doorbell camera footage that may have captured images of the car or its driver, and any other information which might be useful in the investigation of Joel Sheldon’s death.

If you have information, you can contact Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 quoting log 4082 of 20/06/25, or do so online right HERE.

Our thoughts go out to Joel’s friends and family, along with all those whose lives he touched, during this extremely difficult time. Rest in peace.

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Featured Images — Family Handouts/GMP

News

Home testing kits will be sent out those who never or rarely attend cervical screenings

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant At-home smear test

People with a cervix who have never or rarely attend appointments are be offered home-testing kits as part of the cervical screening programme.

The Government‘s groundbreaking initiative, which comes under the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan, aims to revolutionise cervical cancer prevention rates by tackling what are described as ‘deeply-entrenched barriers’ keeping some away from potentially life-saving screenings – including a fear of discomfort, embarrassment, cultural sensitivities, and even the struggle to find time for medical appointments.  

Participation in cervical cancer screening currently sits at just 68.8%, according to the Department of Health, which is well below NHS England’s target of 80%.

This therefore means that more than five million women in England are not up to date with their routine check-up.

Women who have rarely or have never attended their cervical screening will now be offered a self-sample kit to complete at home by the NHS.

The self-testing kits – which detect human papillomavirus (HPV), a group of viruses that can lead to cervical cancer – will allow women to carry out the testing procedure in the privacy and convenience of their own homes.  

The kits will be sent out in discreet packaging, and can be returned via pre-paid mail.

Anyone who may test positive for HPV through self-sampling will then be encouraged to attend a follow-up cervical screening test with a clinician to check for cervical cell changes. 

Experts believe this new targeted approach could increase participation in the screening programme and ultimately save more than 5,000 lives each year.

“These self-sampling kits represent healthcare that works around people’s lives, not the other way around,” commented Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting.

“They put women firmly in control of their own health, ensuring we catch more cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.

Read more:

“We know the earlier cancer is diagnosed the better the chances are of survival. By making screening more convenient, we’re tackling the barriers that keep millions of women from potentially life-saving tests.”

Michelle Kane, who is the NHS’s Director of Screening, added: “There are a number of reasons that stop some women taking up the offer of screening and we hope the introduction of self-testing will encourage more women to take up this life-saving test in a way that works for them.”

Featured Image – Cancer Research UK

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