A man has been arrested after being spotted ‘driving erratically’ in a bin lorry in Greater Manchester.
The driver was wearing a Halloween mask while behind the wheel.
He later failed tests for both drugs and alcohol.
A member of the public first reported the driver to police after noticing them driving erratically.
Officers then found the bin waggon in Walkden and arrested the man.
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Thanks to a concerned member of the public who saw the vehicle being driven erratically whilst the driver wore a Halloween mask, the bin waggon was located in Walkden + the driver detained. He would provide a positive breath sample of 91!! Also failed drugs test #arrested#fatal4pic.twitter.com/jezhy9EYHi
When he was tested for alcohol, he provided a positive breath sample of 91 – almost three times the legal limit.
A statement from GMP said: “Thanks to a concerned member of the public who saw the vehicle being driven erratically whilst the driver wore a Halloween mask, the bin waggon was located in Walkden + the driver detained.
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“He would provide a positive breath sample of 91!! Also failed drugs test #arrested #fatal4.”
The unusual incident has attracted a lot of attention since GMP shared the update on Twitter.
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One person said: “I can’t believe this isn’t satire!”
Another commented: “Drunk & drug driving. A bin wagon. In a Halloween mask. I can’t even.”
Featured image: GMP
Salford
Ambitious plans unveiled to create a new river path connecting Salford Quays with the city centre
Emily Sergeant
Ambitious plans to connect Salford Quays with the city centre via a new ‘active travel route’ along the River Irwell have been unveiled.
And the Greater Manchester public is now being asked for their thoughts on it.
Salford City Council has been working in partnership with Manchester City Council and Trafford Council on the original ‘Irwell River Park’ scheme since 2008, and since then work on the project has taken place over the years, usually as and when opportunities have arisen.
Some of these works include the improvement of access to green space at Crescent Meadows, a riverside path alongside the Urban Splash development at Springfield Lane, and the refurbishment of Peel Park and the transformation of Riverside at Chapel Wharf – the latter two made possible thanks to securing Heritage Lottery funding.
Another exciting project was the completion of a new riverside space and a pedestrian/cycling footbridge connecting with Aviva Studios, which was finished last year.
Ambitious plans have been unveiled to create a new river path connecting Salford Quays with the city centre / Credit: Salford City Council
Through the ‘Irwell River Park’ scheme, Salford residents have been able to take advantage of an “improved network of accessible paths close to the river” over the last few years, but now, it’s time for a new chapter.
Salford City Council says its ambition has remained to “further deliver projects alongside the river” following completion of the initial works, which is why plans to create a new active travel route between Salford Quays and the city centre have been unveiled this week, ahead of them going to out to public consultation these next two months.
This consultation will focus on a so-called new strategy that has recently been drafted for Irwell River Park, as well as plans to improve access to the river.
The plans have been unveiled ahead of a public consultation later this month / Credit: Salford City Council
Taking place for six weeks, the consultation will both invite feedback from the public via an online survey from Monday 23 September, as well as three in-person drop in sessions in Salford on 8, 10 and 26 October.
“This refreshed strategy for Irwell River Park is so important,” commented Councillor Mike McCusker from Salford City Council.
“It will focus on making the River Irwell attractive, safe, and easily-accessible from surrounding neighbourhoods and by public transport, and also by connecting local neighbourhoods with the rich history, culture, public spaces and parks that surround the river.”
Find more information about the ‘Irwell River Park’ scheme, plans, and consultations on the Salford City Council website here.
Featured Image – Salford City Council
Salford
New 24/7 night buses service officially launches in Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
It’s been a long time coming, but Greater Manchester’s new 24/7 night bus service has now officially launched.
As the Bee Network – which is Greater Manchester’s newly-launched integrated transport network – looks to provide much-needed further support to the region’s night time economy and all of those who work within it, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that the 24-hour transport pilot officially kicked off from yesterday (1 September).
Set to run for a full year, after plans for it were first revealed back in February, the trial will run on the V1 and the 36 to help connect Manchester with Leigh and Bolton, via Salford, as these were the first areas to be taken over by the Bee Network.
Services will run at least every hour, 24-hours a day, seven days a week – including on most bank holidays too.
Night buses are here! 🌙🚌
From today, we’re trialling 24-hour services on the V1 and the 36, connecting Manchester with Leigh and Bolton via Salford.
The V1 and 36 have been chosen, not just because they provide bus services to the first Bee Network areas, but also due to their proximity to key night time economy employment sites – such has hotels, bars and clubs, hospitals, and distribution centres.
They also serve areas with high numbers of people who are less likely to own a car, and therefore, are more-likely to use public transport.
The night buses will also use the same capped bus fares that were first introduced in 2022 to provide “a simplified ticket offer” that is consistent with services across the region.
Andy Burnham says the Greater Manchester public has been “crying out” for this new service.
Mayor Andy Burnham stood in front of a new 24/7 Bee Network night bus / Credit: TfGM
“Ensuring that everyone working in our night time economy can access safe, reliable, around-the-clock public transport is hugely important as our thriving region continues to grow,” the Greater Manchester Mayor explained.
“It was clear to us that Greater Manchester can only realise its potential as a catalyst for growth if we have the right infrastructure to get people to and from employment centres whatever the time, day or night.
“Night buses will provide a lifeline to those working in this vitally important sector, where shifts can go on into the night and early morning when public transport options are scarce and personal safety may be a concern.
Daisy Jackson -
26th October 2022 
