Rochdale

Police appeal for witnesses to head-on crash in Rochdale that’s left a man fighting for his life

The driver is in a life-threatening condition.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th March 2024

Police are appealing for witnesses to a horror crash in Rochdale to come forward, after a man has been left fighting for his life.

The two vehicles collided in Milnrow on Sunday evening, on Wildhouse Lane.

It’s thought that a Nissan Micra travelling northbound collided with a BMW One Series that was heading in the opposite direction.

The BMW driver and passenger sustained minor injuries in the head-on crash, but the driver of the Nissan remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital.

Police are now investigating the horror smash and looking for dashcam footage and eye witnesses.

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Anyone who saw anything from the incident at around 7.45pm on Sunday 3 March, or anything from the moments leading up to the collision, should contact GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU).

If anyone has footage, like dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage, police would also like to speak to them.

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You can contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 2757 of 03/03/2024, or using the ‘tell us about’ tool or LiveChat function on GMP’s website.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity – Crimestoppers – anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Featured image: Google Maps

Rochdale

How and where to recycle your Christmas tree in Greater Manchester 2024

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There comes a point in time where you’re all ‘spruced’ out and it’s time for a home interior refresh, so here’s all the ways you can recycle your Christmas tree in Greater Manchester.

Christmas has been and gone, but there’s no party blues yet, as the new year is just around the corner, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

After taking down all those decorations from your tree, you may be stumped on what to do with it next, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

They say you learn something new every day, so if the ‘Twixmas’ period is when you like to take down your Christmas decs and start anew, then let us tell you about all of the different ways to dispose of your once-decorated greenery.

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Recycle your real Christmas tree in food and garden bin

You can pop your real Christmas tree into your food waste / garden bin, as long as its chopped and trimmed, with the trunk needing to be thinner than your wrist – but only if it isn’t possible take it to a Christmas tree recycling point instead.

Or you could continue the Christmas spirit by replanting your tree into your garden and keep it as a reminder of the fun of the festive season all year long.

Additionally, you can try returning your tree to the retailer or vendor you bought it from, whether that’s a shop or garden centre, but just make sure you check you can do this beforehand.

There are loads of different ways to recycle your Christmas tree in Greater Manchester / Credit: Flickr

Take it to your local tip

Christmas trees are accepted at all 20 recycling centres within Greater Manchester for free.

How ever you choose to give your tree the big send-off, make sure to apply for a specific vehicle permit if you’re giving your tree a more spacious mode of transport – such as a van, pick-up truck or a twin-axle trailer.

You can also drop off any unwanted ornaments here too, including that one that’s progressively been making its way to the back of the tree each year (we’ve all got one).

Artificial trees will be welcomed at all these locations too, so all that’s left to do is find your nearest recycling centre here.

You can find more information and register your tree here.

Greater Manchester residents can get all the advice they need online / Credit: Sean Foster (via Unsplash)

Donate to charity

Local charity, Just Helping, is providing collection services in some of the key Greater Manchester areas.

Everyone at this charity – which launched in 2012, and operates 106 collection areas nationwide – is not only helping to raise money for other Greater Manchester charities, but they’re also eco warriors too, as recycling Christmas trees prevents 82,000 kg of carbon dioxide emissions.

Anyone thinking of utilising these services can do so here.

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Advice from your local council

If you’re still struggling on what to do with your Christmas tree, you can find more tips and advice on your local Council’s website with a link to each borough’s Council here.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

Rochdale

Picturesque Greater Manchester railway granted £1.3m to restore historic viaduct

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of Greater Manchester’s most picturesque railways has been given substantial funding to restore a historic viaduct along the line.

As part of the Government‘s wider Plan for Change, the Bury-based heritage railway, East Lancashire Railway (ELR), has been awarded more than £1.3 million in grants to carry out urgent repair work to the Higher Woodhill Viaduct – which is on the edge of Burrs Country Park, in the heart of the stunning Irwell Valley.

Repairs to the historic viaduct, which goes past the site of the former Higher Woodhill Mill, were last carried out all the way back in 1932.

But now, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has granted the funding for restoration through its ‘Community Ownership Fund’, alongside three local authorities from Bury, Rochdale, and the nearby Rossendale in Lancashire, all putting in a further £276,000 in match funding.

Important supporters of the railway, such as members of the public and local businesses, have also added a few thousand pounds more to the project.

While inspections to the structure and safety of the viaduct are carried out on a regular basis, ELR assures, it was flagged earlier in 2024 that long-term repairs would be required to allow for the “continued level of use” of steam and heritage diesel trains along the line.

Speaking on the funding being granted, Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway, commented: “This is a major investment for the future and a massive vote of confidence for our dedicated volunteers and staff to help secure the railway’s infrastructure for years to come.

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“Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy, thanks to the generosity and support of the East Lancashire Railway Trust, our local community partners and supporters, as well as local and national politicians.”

Essential maintenance works are due to start next year in the spring.

Featured Image – Supplied

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