A popular country park in Trafford is set to receive a massive revamp after funding was successfully secured.
Almost £100,000 is being pumped into the transformation of Wellacre Country Park in Urmston, with the improvement of footpaths, bolstered wildlife habitats, and installation of new signs all in the pipeline as work is due to start on the huge project imminently
It comes after conservation charity City of Trees secured £71,142 from Veolia Environmental Trust and a further £25,000 from Trafford Council to carry out the works.
The project will improve the site’s biodiversity and bring better access to nature for local people – which Trafford Council said is vital as part of the post-pandemic green recovery in the borough.
Some of the major improvements set to be carried out include renewing a main footpath from Ambleside to Carrington Road to improve access and enhance safety, as well as replacing all signage and enhancing wildlife habitats across the park.
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On top of that, new information boards and signs will be installed across the site to provide local wildlife and heritage information, and encourage people to explore other local sites and routes as the parks links well to the Urmston Active Neighbourhood and wider Mersey Valley.
☑️ Work begins on a major project to improve access and biodiversity at Wellacre Country Park
The project will improve the site’s biodiversity and bring better access to nature for local people – vital as part of the post-pandemic green recovery.
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The improvements will include renewing a main footpath from Ambleside to Carrington Road to improve access and enhance safety, as well as replacing all signage and enhancing wildlife habitats across the park. There will also be volunteer conservation days so that residents can be part of the transformation of this important green asset.
Habitat enhancements through woodland management, wildflower planting, grassland management and invasive species control will also be carried out.
It’s hoped that local schools and residents will be in the revamp process too.
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“This is fantastic news for Wellacre Country Park and I am delighted that Trafford Council was able to help fund the work which is due to take place.” said Cllr Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services.
“Trafford Council is passionate about the environment and we are committed to improving all of Trafford’s green spaces for future generations to enjoy, recognising the multiple benefits they bring.
“It is one of our main priorities and a key part of our pandemic recovery and climate emergency response through nature.”
Almost £100,000 is being pumped into the revamp of Wellacre Country Park in Urmston / Credit: City of Trees
El Walker – spokesperson from City of Trees – added: “We are delighted to have secured this funding as part of our commitment to the Trafford Countryside Management Partnership [as] Wellacre Country Park is a beautifully diverse site with lots of potential for both visitors and wildlife.
“We are looking forward to involving the community in our volunteer days when we can.”
Featured Image – Trafford Council
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Manchester United set to join Premier League transfer battle for Morgan Rogers
Danny Jones
Manchester United and several other Premier League teams are expected to join in a multi-club race for the signature of Morgan Rogers in the upcoming transfer window.
Over the last year or two, Morgan Rogers has become not just one of the Three Lions’ brightest prospects but arguably one of the best young players in Europe.
Now reportedly set to, at the very least, consider leaving Aston Villa – regardless of whether they qualify for the Champions League or not – a fair few clubs are set to pursue the fast-rising England international this summer.
As per Times Sport writers Gary Jacob and Paul Hirst, Rogers is now on the radar of Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal – and that’s just in the domestic top flight…
Clubs renew interest in Morgan Rogers as Villa face bidding war this summer
England midfielder is wanted by Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, with Villa’s valuation likely exceeding £80million
With an estimated minimum valuation of £80 million being slapped on the 23-year-old, it’ll take quite a sizeable package for Villa to let the West Brom academy product go.
The West Midlands-born midfielder was signed following an impressive bunch of performances at Middlesbrough, where he already trained under a then-fledgling new manager, Michael Carrick, who he joined following a number of loan spells at the likes of Lincoln City, Bournemouth and Blackpool.
His previous employers prior to the Birmingham side were actually Manchester City, who signed Rogers as a youth back in 2019, but never gave him a full run-out in the senior squad.
Now a fully graduated first-team star, a regularly decisive player/match-winner and clearly in Thomas Tuchel’s national team plans for the World Cup, Man City are not currently thought to be interested in re-signing him as they did with the likes of James Trafford, for example.
Then again, he isn’t necessarily a position they’re looking to strengthen with so many attack-minded options in advanced areas, whereas it’s claimed United are hoping to solve a number of issues all over the pitch this summer.
It’s worth noting he scored two incredible finishes against the Red Devils earlier this season.
Both certified worldies.
Of course, there is always the possibility of City and other big sides coming in for him, not only because of his undeniable talent but in an effort to stop rivals acquiring his services.
In the case of Manchester United, how much budget the INEOS board will afford Carrick and co regarding recruitment remains to be seen, though there is the belief that Rogers more than fits the attributes and age profile of those that sporting director Jason Wilcox will be targeting.
One bit of defensive business MUFC have already managed to complete is sorting a fresh new deal for centre-back Harry Maguire, who recently signed a key contract extension.
Manchester rent is now ‘41% more expensive than five years ago, according to a recent study
Danny Jones
Yes, that’s right, as per some of the latest data on leased housing in central Manchester, it’s now approximately 41% more expensive to rent here than it was half a decade ago.
If you’ve lived in and around the city centre for long enough, chances are that you’ve already been feeling that difference, especially of late.
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis roughly began in 2021, following the economy and the world essentially opening back up after multiple lockdowns, so it’s little surprise that new research has shown affordability when it comes to renting has been on a slump ever since, too.
As well as the price of seemingly most things in everyday life going up post-pandemic, the average rental rate for even just a one-bedroom flat/apartment has jumped up significantly between 2020 and 2025.
Even some ‘available’ housing in town is being hampered by claddin (Credit: Valienne via WikiCommons)
That’s according to the numbers crunched by credit card experts, Zable, anyway.
Not only did their recent report cite the rent prices going up even before the cost of living crisis – essentially following the outset of the Covid-19 outbreak – but if their figures, the rate of inflation and the unwaveringly high demand for housing are anything to go by, this trajectory is likely to continue in 2026.
As of February this year, around one in three UK households is now a single-person occupancy, which already comes with its challenges (the Manchester City Council tax discount being a thin lifeline for countless), not to mention energy bills and the cost of groceries continuing on an upwards trend.
Put in the simplest and most reductive terms, it’s now almost £300 dearer for most people to live on their own than it was back in 2020, and besides Liverpool clocking in as second on the list of increasingly expensive cities to live (a 42.12% increase), Manchester came in third.
You can see the full table down below:
Rank
City
% increase – 2020-2025
Difference from 2020 to 2025 in £
Average rental cost for a 1 bed 2025
1
Newport
47.39%
£2,611
£8,121
2
Liverpool
42.12%
£2,290
£7,727
3
Manchester
41.00%
£3,364
£11,569
4
Edinburgh
40.28%
£4,620
£16,090
5
Leicester
39.93%
£2,391
£8,379
6
Wolverhampton
39.22%
£2,049
£7,273
7
Nottingham
39.07%
£2,400
£8,543
8
Glasgow
38.02%
£2,679
£9,725
9
Colchester
37.63%
£2,617
£9,572
10
Cardiff
37.06%
£2,828
Average rental cost for a 1-bed 2025
Another fear is that with lots of people finding it hard to manage living in other major cities like London, even those moving to Manchester are also having an impact on how available affordable housing is here.
That’s why schemes such as the new ‘social rent’ development over in Wythenshawe are so important to the current generations of renters, with the possibility of owning your own property in the future becoming increasingly difficult for so many.
It’s also worth noting that Manchester ranked fourth among the British locations where the cost of living is said to have increased the most over the past five years, with the average difference in annual spend growing by an estimated 22.84%.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd June 2021 
