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Manchester’s electric bin lorries need new names – and voting is open now

Manchester Council asked the public to send in their ideas for electric bin lorry names - and have been inundated with brilliant responses.

The Manc The Manc - 3rd March 2021
The public have been tasked with naming the city’s new fleet of electric bin lorries / Image: Manchester City Council

Manchester City Council made a brave decision in February: Asking Mancs to name the new fleet of electric bin lorries soon-to-be parading around the region.

The big, sunshine-coloured, emission-free vehicles are being released onto roads as part of Manchester’s mission to ‘bin carbon’ in 2021, making the county cleaner in every sense of the word.

After revealing the new vehicles online, the Council asked GM residents to send in potential names for each of the lorries – and leaders were inundated with some brilliant (and some brilliantly bad) responses.

All the submissions have now been narrowed down to a final shortlist – with five separate polls being run on Twitter. The name with the most votes in each will be given to a lorry.

Vehicle No. 1 has already got a moniker.

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‘Sparkus Trashford’ fought off competition from ‘Bin Around The World’, ‘Electric Bin Lowry’, and ‘Happy Bindays’ to be crowned as the Council’s first electric bin lorry – but there’s still four more left to name.

The second round of voting will take place online later today (March 3) and throughout the rest of the week.

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Some of the earliest submissions back at the beginning of February were Binny MancBinFace and Bin Diesel, so you just know there’s going to be some absolute corkers coming up…

Follow #mccBinLorryComp and the Manchester City Council Twitter account for updates and voting.

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More Metrolink disruption expected as further tram strikes have been scheduled

Danny Jones Danny Jones More tram strikes Manchester dates

Further disruption to the Bee Network is now expected during an already full-on time of year, as more Metrolink tram strikes have been scheduled over the festive period.

Three more, to be specific.

A series of strikes by Metrolink workers have already taken place this season over concerns not regarding pay, specifically, but rather the current schedules and subsequent safety risks.

Put in the simplest terms, members of Unite the Union have said: “The dispute is over driver fatigue and fears that their shift patterns and lack of rest breaks are putting them and passengers at risk.”

As a result, they have now pencilled in protests on 19, 20 and 31 December, holding walkouts from their usual timetable.

tram strike dates manchester city centre
A largely empty St Peter’s Square tram stop is a fairly rare sight to see. (Credit: The Manc)

In addition to the other pair of strikes planned for this coming weekend (5-7 Dec), the latest trio have been specifically timed in and around key dates on the city’s calendar.

As well as the return of Manchester’s firework display on St. Peter’s Square, the walk-outs will also coincide with a Manchester City fixture at the Etihad Stadium, as well as notable live music gigs like Jools Holland and Manc band, Doves.

Naturally, tens upon tens of thousands are set to use the Bee Network and trams, in particular, to travel to these events – reiterating just how important properly investing and staffing the Metrolink and other arms of Manchester’s public transport service is.

The most recent update from the union continues: “Unite has repeatedly raised issues with management, but has been told there is no funding available for improvements to working patterns.”

Their General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said as part of the most recent statement: “Driver fatigue is a serious problem. Our members are raising serious concerns about their and their passengers’ safety, but Metrolink management is burying its head in the sand.

“Management must sort this problem out once and for all. It can’t try to fob drivers off by putting profits before safety.”

Here are some of the scenes from the demonstrations earlier this year:

Union members have also clarified their position surrounding ‘fatigue’; it isn’t just the fear of possible risks in operating a tram whilst being “exhausted”, but both the wider mental and physical toll that working the current shift patterns has on workers.

One driver quoted as saying: “My colleagues are tired, but the fatigue is also giving them cold-like symptoms and many have been going off sick with stress, which adds to problems with staffing levels.”

So, if you’re planning on using the Metrolink this holiday season when travelling around for Christmas shopping or even just going home, make sure to keep the strike dates in mind.

Elsewhere, the Bee Network has also provided more information on the designs to bring tram lines to Stockport town centre. Read more down below.

The vision to bring trams to Stockport takes a step forward with plans to use underused railway line
It could be huge for the borough.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — David Dixon (via Geograph)/The Manc Group

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Lidl reveals one of Manchester’s most-bought items in new ‘Lidl Wrapped’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Lidl reveals most-bought item in Manchester in new 'Lidl Wrapped'. Credit: Lidl

Lidl has unveiled the most-bought items in each major city around the UK, launching its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ to share the nation’s shopping habits.

The supermarket chain has gathered data on the most purchased items from 10 cities around the country, to see what the top sellers in each city has been this year.

You might be expecting a clean sweep of boring stuff like milk and bread – but no, apparently Manchester has been obsessed with… avocados.

According to Lidl Wrapped, Manchester has developed an avocado obsession, while Leeds residents have collectively purchased more than 133 million peas, and Bristol has invested in 11 tonnes-worth of coleslaw.

To celebrate the Lidl Wrapped for 2025, the supermarket is now rolling out its own wrapping paper range, and opening free gift-wrapping stations at 10 stores nationwide.

Between the 4 and 17 December, you’ll be able to have your shopping wrapped up in Manchester’s exclusive design (which, yes, will have avocados on it) so your Middle of Lidl find can switch into the perfect present.

The pop-up gift-wrapping stations will also have interactive games with prizes, like in-store discounts and a £50 golden ticket.

Lidl reveals most-bought item in Manchester in new 'Lidl Wrapped'. Credit: Lidl
Lidl reveals most-bought item in Manchester in new 'Lidl Wrapped'. Credit: Lidl
Lidl reveals most-bought item in Manchester in new ‘Lidl Wrapped’. Credit: Lidl

You can also buy the wrapping paper in packs of three for just 75p, with all proceeds donated to Neighbourly.

Joanna Gomer, Marketing Director at Lidl GB commented: “This year, our customers have shown us once again that the weekly shop is about more than groceries, it’s about moments, surprises, and the little joys that make life easier and bring people together.

“Looking ahead to 2026, we’re focused on giving our customers even more to value, extra reasons to smile, and plenty of those Lidl surprises that keep them coming back for more.”

The free Lidl wrapping stations will be available from 9am while stocks last between 4 and 17 December.

‘Lidl Wrapped’ top groceries across the UK:

  • Birmingham – Roses
  • Bristol – Deluxe Creamy Coleslaw
  • Cardiff – 15 Welsh Mixed Weight Free Range Eggs
  • Edinburgh – Lighthouse Bay 2 Scottish Salmon Fillets
  • Glasgow – Gelatelli Ice Cubes
  • Leeds – Freshona British Garden Peas
  • Liverpool – All Butter Croissant
  • London – Cucumber
  • Manchester – Ready to Eat Avocado
  • Sheffield – Raku Sushi Sharing Pack

Read more

Featured image: Lidl

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