A £20m scheme to transform the A5063 Trafford Road is edging closer to completion with overnight resurfacing work to begin later this month.
 
The major route, which connects the M602 Roundabout to The Quays and Trafford, is currently undergoing a transformation with each junction along the route being improved to boost capacity for all users, assist turning traffic and make it safer and easier for cyclists and pedestrians to use.
 
Now in its final stages, overnight resurfacing work will begin from The Quays to the M602 roundabout from Tuesday 23 August. This work will be carried out in three stages and is expected to last until Saturday 22 October.
 
Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development said:

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“Trafford Road is the biggest road scheme that we have underway and is set to be transformative for residents, cyclists and motorists when we expect it to reopen in the coming months.
 
“I am delighted that the scheme is moving to resurfacing work towards the M602 roundabout as it shows we are nearing the completion of this project and I would ask residents, businesses and commuters to continue exercising their utmost patience with us as we enter this new phase of the works.
 
“We are doing all we can to minimise disruption by carrying out this work at night so we don’t fully close roads during the day and ensuring that, where possible, the noisiest work does not take place overnight."

 
Works will start at 7pm, although residents will see traffic management measures being put in place from 6.30pm. Only one side of the carriageway from The Quays to the M602 roundabout will be closed at a time. The road will reopen to traffic at 6.30am each morning.
 
This schedule is also subject to change in the event of adverse weather conditions or other issues. Residents will receive further communications in the event of a delay.
 
Residents can find out more information about the works and talk to our contractor, Sisk, about what it will mean for them at two public information events this month, with one in person and the other taking place online.

•    Wednesday 10 August, Salford Lads Club, Coronation Street, Salford, M5 3SA - 4pm to 6pm
•    Tuesday 16 August, online via Microsoft Teams – link here.
 
Those accessing the online meeting should note that Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari do not support Microsoft Teams so they will need to download the Microsoft Teams app before attempting to join the session. Microsoft Teams is supported by users who use Chrome or Edge as their browser. Those using a mobile device will also need to download the app onto their device before joining.

 

The local residents association in Boothstown have paid their respects to a much loved former councillor, local volunteer and association trustee - who worked tirelessly for the people of Boothstown of whom she loved so much, a true pillar of the community.

Beryl Howard was held in the highest esteem throughout the area, for her tireless work in the community, both in her capacity as a councillor and then as a community volunteer but most importantly as a resident who loved her community of Boothstown.

Beryl held the position of councillor for Boothstown & Ellenbrook from 2003 to 2008 (the ward boundary changed from Worsley & Boothstown in 2004).

During her time as councillor, Beryl brought many positive changes to the area, something which she would continue to do as an eager volunteer in the years which followed.

In a touching posting to their group on Facebook, a statement from the residents association, said:

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"I am very sad to tell you that Beryl Howard has passed away in hospital on the 31st of July 2022.

"She worked tirelessly for the community of Boothstown both as a councillor and a community volunteer.

"She and husband Michael spent many hours helping to improve the quality of life for residents, running her local neighbourhood watch group, attending both community and residents' committee meetings.

"She attended local planning issues and was always there to help in anyway she could.

"Beryl and Michael also contributed to the success of the Boothstown Wobble and in recent years helped organise the Boothstown Carol Service which takes place on the Precinct.

"Her wisdom will be much missed.

"Our condolences sent to Michael and his relatives."

 

Local Conservative Councillor, Bob Clarke, spoke fondly of his memories of Beryl, pledging to enact on a plate of pie and peas he owed her when he too reaches the other side:

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"I first met Beryl in 2016 after becoming a councillor for the first time I soon realised what she and Michael have been doing for Boothstown and Ellenbrook for many years.

"They have been working behind the scenes trying to make Boothtown and Ellenbrook and now Roe Green a better place for all of us.

"We live in one of the nicest places in Salford and this is because of the work people like Beryl and Michael have been doing doing, there are many others who I haven’t mentioned who also do much for us mostly un noticed .

"Beryl will be greatly missed and I will miss our little chats and a hug. I still owe her a plate of Pie and Peas which I will repay when I am on the other side."

 

In tribute to the beloved former councillor, Salford Council flew the flag on top of the Civic Centre at half-mast in her memory this evening.

Officers from GMP's E-Relief Transport Unit detailed just a few of the varied jobs they were called out to during a busy shift patrolling Salford & Greater Manchester's transport networks today (5th August).

The unit works in partnership with local authorities and TfGM to ensure an effective and proactive police presence that can provide a response function to deal with ongoing crimes and incidents affecting public transport across the region.

Metrolink Concerns For Welfare

First of all, officers responded to a concern for the welfare of a male at Freehold Metrolink Station in Oldham earlier this morning.

Luckily, the male was found safe and well but was taken to hospital by local officers as a precaution.

Wanted For Assault

Then it was over to Worsley, Salford, where their Officers located a male who was wanted for an Assault.

He was swiftly picked up and dropped off at Swinton Police Station ready to be interviewed later in the day.

Drug Driver

Then Officers stumbled across a vehicle that was showing as having no record of insurance in the Walkden area.

Following a search of the vehicle the male driver was arrested for possession of Cannabis and Drug Driving after having failed a roadside drug wipe.

He was also taken to Swinton Police Station for processing.

Drunk Driver

Within a minute of the Officers leaving Swinton Station a report came over the wireless of a Drink Driver being seen driving erratically on the roads.

He was subsequently located and arrested on suspicion of Drink Driving, Driving while Disqualified and driving a vehicle without motor insurance.

It's all in a days work

GMP Transport Unit proactively police all of Greater Manchester's Transport Infrastructure and their overriding aim is to ensure you are safe while using the system.

If you have specific concerns regarding criminality on the Transport Network in your area please let GMP Officers know when you see them out and about.

Police rely on your information to ensure we’re targeting the right people and the right places.

Police were called to a business on Hollands Road in Northwich following reports of a burglary that had occurred just before 12.10am on Friday 5 August.

Officers swiftly attended and on arrival the suspects fled the scene in a white Transit van, following a brief pursuit, the vehicle was abandoned in the Lostock Gralam area.

After a search of the area, three men from the Greater Manchester area were arrested.

A 23-year-old man from Manchester was arrested on suspicion of burglary, dangerous driving, failing to stop and failing to provide a specimen.

A 32-year-old man from Bolton was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of a class B drug (cannabis), dangerous driving, failing to stop and drug driving.

A 34-year-old man from Salford was arrested on suspicion of burglary, dangerous driving, failing to stop.

Detective Constable Claire Heatley, of Northwich Beat Team, said:

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“This investigation is in the early stages, however I am sure that these arrests provide reassurance for residents in the area and the wider business community.

“I also hope that it acts as a warning to other offenders who are thinking about coming into Cheshire to commit crime.

“As our enquiries continue, I would urge anyone with any information or video footage which may aid our investigation to get in touch.”

 

All three men remain in custody at this time where they are being questioned by detectives.

Anyone with information can report it to Cheshire Police via /www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us quoting IML 1334251 or call 101.

I posted an article about the building work that is due to commence on the Crown Theatre, Church Street, Eccles this week, shortly after seeing the scaffolding erected outside the frontage.

Several readers posted comments voicing their concern about the safety of the building, potential car parking problems, an underground carpark and the alleged £15,000 per annum residents of the apartments will have to pay.

I called at the site today and left my details asking for a representative of, Integritas Property Group to contact me for a chat about the above, and I am happy to say that within the hour they did.

David Mason the Development and Construction Director fully answered all of my questions and more, here is what he had to say:

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"As you will see the two brick listed facades will remain (once restored back to their former glory), along with the porch frontage which is also listed, this will all be carried out with the guidance and consent of English Heritage.

Everything behind these facades which is (as you rightly pointed out) in a very poor condition will be demolished to accommodate the new build 82 one and two bedroomed units.

The elected construction method is steel frame with concrete floors all clad in facing brickwork to match the existing red engineering brick elements of the existing  red engineering brick elements of the existing.

The ground level will incorporate an entrance foyer, 1 commercial unit (for sale), plant rooms and ground floor parking only. 

There is no sub surface parking.

There are 38 parking spaces incorporating 2 disabled bays and 6 electric vehicle charging points. 

These are sold for a one-off fee of £15,000.

Following a meeting on site with Salford Council Highways  they requested we extend the yellow lines to Church Street end of Mather Street to prevent vehicles parking in front of their homes at the request of the residents.

Prior to the first occupation of the scheme we have to display a permanent heritage interpretation panel on site setting out the history of the former theatre, which we are sure will be a focal point for local children and historians.

We hope the above gives you more of an insight into the logistics of the scheme, but should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to ask when will be more than happy to oblige"

 

So, no underground car parking as thought, the £15,000 parking fee is not an annual payment but a one off payment and extended yellow lines to Church Street which is surely a good thing for residents of Mather Road.

Finally, I am pleased that Integritas are working with English Heritage to ensure that the building work will be in line with the 1899 original construction and once finished will compliment the local area and I will be delighted to see the former Lyceum restored to it's former glory.

On Sunday 14th August, Bee Corner in Salford will be celebrating its first birthday, by inviting anyone with an interest in bees and nature to come along to see their urban green space.

Tucked away behind Islington Mill, on James Street, Bee Corner is a wonderful beekeeping initiative set up by apiarist, Amber McCormack, which offers urban beekeeping experiences in the heart of Salford.

The land is owned by Salford Council and leased to Islington Mill and the bee team itself is a project of the Islington Mill Foundation Charity.

With a massive volunteer effort and support from funders, Amber and the team have managed to transform what was a sad, neglected space into a green oasis where people and pollinators can thrive.

‘Api Bee Day’ will mark a year since the team – together with local councillor Ray Mashiter – got the project established.

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“We have been trying to bring a little green haven to honey bees, insects and all sorts of wildlife,” says Amber.

“Bees are crucial to our life on Earth – they pollinate about 70% of all the food we eat so it is important that we look after these bees that are facing all sorts of threats in the environment, pollution, parasites and diseases.

“At Bee Corner we educate people about the needs of bees and all sorts of other pollinators so that we can all be more aware of the world and how to help nature.”

 

The hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed; in the last few days it has been announced that Bee Corner has been nominated for a Springboard Hero Award.

For anyone who would like to know more or get involved, Bee Corner offers a whole range of activities as well as ‘bees for wellbeing’, which is a social prescription course, where people can be referred by health care professionals for bee-keeping experiences to help their health and mental wellbeing.

Amber has also been running craft activities during the Bee Corner monthly open days.

So far this year they have made seed bombs, badges, keyrings, magnets, Bee Boost (little vials of sugar syrup to help bees), honey lemonade, bath salts, and lavender wands. 

The ‘Api Bee Day’ is free and is a drop-in event on Sunday 14th August from 2pm-5pm at Bee Corner, Behind Unit 5, Regent Trading Estate, Salford M5 4DE.

Officers from the Salford South East Neighbourhood Team located a large cannabis farm in the Charles Town Area on Monday evening .

Plants in various stages of growth were found at the property.

The Farm has been dismantled and the cannabis has been sent for destruction.

Enquires are ongoing in relation to the offenders involved in setting up the farm

Police are asking that if you have any knowledge of cannabis farms in the area please report this to GMP anonymously via GMP online report

A man from Salford has been jailed for 17 years for sexual offences against children.

Kieron Jackson, 33, of Holm Court, Salford was jailed at Bolton Crown Court on 2 August 2022, for sexual offences against children.

Jackson was reported to Greater Manchester Police on 8 June 2020 by a concerned party who alleged he’d had sexual contact with a child.

Investigating SIO, DC Paula Birchby, said:

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I am extremely pleased for the child and her family, who now have the justice they deserve.

“The hard work of everyone involved in the case meant that Jackson was convicted and that a lengthy sentence has been issued. The police and courts have shown that this terrible abuse will not be tolerated.”

 

Eccles RFC is delighted to announce that it will once again host the annual 2022 Eccles Festival this summer thanks to the generous support of our headline sponsor and local brewer First Chop, based just 500m away from our Gorton Street ground.

The 10th Anniversary 3-Day event will take place on Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August. 

As the festival gets closer, news of teams, acts and breweries will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

Early planning suggests there will be over 30 different Beers, over 20 different Gins, and numerous Ciders and Rums to enjoy, many of them produced by local brewers and distilleries. 

Eccles RFC has been a champion of homegrown talent since 1897 (that's right, they've been a part of this community for over 125 years) so alongside live music from local performers there will also be delicious food from local businesses and a tasty Men's rugby tournament where you're sure to see some of the district's finest athletes battling it out for local bragging rites and the chance to lift the 'Eccles Cup'.

Join in with all the fun for what promises to be the best Eccles Fest ever!    

For more details about acts and admission, please see this page.

ADMISSION  

You don't have to be an Ale aficionado or a club member - the Eccles Festival is a community event and everyone is welcome. Entrance is just £2 per adult, children (under 18) are free, Festival programme is £1. Drinks tokens can be purchased at the gate on arrival and CASH or CARD payments are accepted.

Visitors are NOT PERMITTED to bring their own Alcoholic Beverages into the ground.

An inquest into the death of a Little Hulton storage facility worker heard how the 33-year-old suffered fatal injuries after a collision with a van on Manchester Road in Westhoughton last month.

At 12:50pm on Tuesday 19th of July, Damien Dulce was pronounced dead after the motorcycle he was riding was involved in a road traffic collision with a van travelling in the same direction.

As the van took a right turn, Mr Deluce collided with the rear offside quarter, causing him to be thrown from the motorcycle which resulted in him sustaining multiple injuries which ultimately resulted in his death.

The 60-year-old van driver was arrested at the scene but has since been released pending further investigations by the serious collisions unit.

Mr Dulce's death was provisionally recorded as being attributed to the 'Multiple Injuries' he sustained.

The inquest was adjourned until later this year on the 4th of November.

GMP Transport Unit officers have arrested a 30-year-old male this evening (3rd August) on Oxford Street in Eccles after he was observed driving erratically along the road.

After checks by the patrol officers it was determined that the driver did not hold a valid licence.

The drivers car was seized and towed away and the driver was arrested for driving whilst being disqualified.

Police added on a post to their Facebook page, "One less danger on the road".

GMP Salford's Neighbourhood team arrested a 14-year-old male this morning (3rd August) for carrying out criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and obstruction of emergency workers as they attempted to go about their business.

Upon arrest the youth was also found to be in possession of a knife.

Police say that this incident was following numerous reports of arson within the Broughton Park area.

The Working Class Museum on the Crescent Salford is having an open day on Saturday 13th August between the hours of 11am - 4pm.

Come along and find out more about the library and their Reading Room, meet staff and volunteers and take a tour of the building, there will also have activities for children and opportunities to learn more about their beautiful garden.

The Museum hosts  a collection of English language books, periodicals, pamphlets, archives and artefacts, relating to the development of the political and cultural institutions of the working class created by the Industrial Revolution, in Salford.

The current exhibition is, "We shall all be Brothers and Sisters - The Communist Party in Britain from 1920 - 2022", the exhibition highlights members of the party with links to Salford, Manchester and the Library including our co-founder, Ruth Frow, Tommy Jackson, Len Johnson, Bernard McKenna, Benny Rothman, Sylvia Pankhurst and Betty Tebbs. 

Through objects, sound and photographs from their archives, they have explored their relationship with the Communist Party and the role it played in their lives as activists. 

I was contacted by several people over the weekend concerned about the recently installed scaffolding that has been erected outside The Crown Theatre, Church Street, Eccles.

Today I went down and had a look at the building and was fortunate enough to have a chat with the property developers from Integritas Property Group who have taken on the task of completely and sympathetically restoring the long derelict building and converting it into, an 82 apartment block.

A company calling themselves The Lyceum Investors Group purchased the building last year for £1.1M following the collapse of the previous developers, Lyceum Manchester an offshoot of The Goodwin Group who have gone into administration.

So far 40 of the 82 one, two and three bedroom apartments have already been sold to investors, and a further £7M is planned to be spent on the renovation which has a completion date of March 2024.

I was pleased to be told that English Heritage are regular visitors to the site who are ensuring that the Grade 11 listed frontage will not only saved but will be integrated into the finished project with a foyer entrance, the long gone pyramidal roof will be rebuilt and the replacement brickwork will be sympathetic to the original 1889 design.

Personally I am delighted that the project has finally started after this magnificent building has lain empty for the past 20 years and has seen constant acts of vandalism, fires, and other mishaps, and a constant fear that the frontage would collapse onto Church Street causing fatalities.

I am aware that their will be objections to this project, but the alternative would have been a vacant plot of land and the inevitable, bland, faceless high rise built there, surely far better to have a reminder of Eccles heritage preserved in some form?

We will be following with great interest the development of the Lyceum project and hope to make regular visits to the site and chart the progress.

GMP's Transport Unit officers arrested and charged a male this morning (3rd August) after being found with a crossbow in his vehicle during a routine stop in Salford.

This is the second dangerous weapon taken off the streets of Salford in as many days after police recovered a Rambo style knife from a man in Eccles the night before.

GMP and Transport Unit officers are fully supporting the 'i am greater' campaign removing dangerous weapons from the streets of Greater Manchester.

GMP's Transport Unit have arrested a male after he was seen acting suspiciously in Eccles wearing a balaclava. Officers dressed in plain clothes pounced and detained the man.

During searches he was found with a large Rambo type knife and Class B drugs in his possession and has now been charged and bailed to appear in Court.

GMP declared "One more knife off the street" on their Eccles, Cadishead, Barton and Irlam social media page, and what a terrifying looking knife it is.

This latest arrest comes after a number of knife related incidents in the area.

Police were swarming around Cadishead this evening after two officers were violently assaulted by a man under the influence of cocaine.

In a social media posting, a representative for Greater Manchester Police explained the the huge force presence was required due to the level of violence focused towards it's officers.

The man has now been arrested and police say he is on his way to custody.

GMP Barton, Eccles and Irlam, said:

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"Just to explain the large police presence in Cadishead this evening - 2 police officers had been assaulted and were struggling with a violent male.

"He has now been arrested and is on his way to custody.

"A large response was required due to the level of violence shown and influence of cocaine. Hope the rest of your evening is peaceful…!"

 

An allotment in Eccles that is helping veterans improve their wellbeing has been paid a visit by Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett as part of an open day earlier this week.

The Allotment for Veterans in Tindall Street was set up by ex-serviceman Vinny Neild earlier this year to give other veterans a special place in the community to find a new lease of life.

The City Mayor was shown around the once disused site which Vinny and other veterans have transformed into a thriving allotment where fresh vegetables are grown.

Local landlord ForHousing has backed the project, donating £5,500 funding for a shed, greenhouses and garden sleepers and is holding First Aid training for all volunteers.

Property maintenance firm, Liberty, which like ForHousing is part of the ForViva Group, contributed £5,000 of materials. Staff dug out a pathway that has made the site safe and accessible and helped to raise the garden beds, one of which even looks like a Royal Navy warship.

Vinny Neild, the driving force behind the allotment, said:

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“Life after service can be tough. I set up the allotment to help other veterans find a purpose and it’s great to see my dream come to life.

“We started with an old rundown plot and now, a few months on, we’ve transformed it into an allotment we can all be proud of. We’re really grateful for the support of ForHousing, Liberty and everyone in the community who has got behind this, we couldn’t have done this without you.”

 

A Royal Navy veteran and regular visitor Mark*, said:

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“It’s so peaceful here, a space you can really feel calm and also experience the banter from fellow veterans that you so miss from being in the forces. I haven’t had much experience with gardening before, so have learnt a lot whilst here as the guys share their knowledge. I look forward to my weekly visit.”

Other partners that have got behind the project include charity Foundation 92, local businesses like Eclipse scaffolding, Smiths Hire and Grade 1 scaffolding and fencing and Salford City Council.

Martyn Hague, Director of Customer at ForHousing said:

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“It’s fantastic to see how the whole community has come together and got behind the allotment. It’s having such a positive impact – Vinny has created a unique place that’s really benefiting the wellbeing of veterans.

“We’re passionate about improving lives at ForHousing and are proud to support this project which I have no doubt will continue to go from strength to strength.”

 

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“It was a real pleasure for Councillor Kelly and I to visit the Allotments for Veterans site and see the great work that Vinny and the team are doing down there in support of our veterans.  The piece of land on Tindall Street allotments has been transformed into a haven for our veterans who want to come together to work on the plot.  I wish them every success for the future.”

Once upon a time, Greater Manchester's bus shelters and stations were brightened by artistic travel posters promising express coach travel to London, or promising grand days out at Lyme Park or Peel Tower.. or even telling you where to buy a Clippercard ticket. And anyone can now have a retro travel trip back in time thanks to the Museum of Transport Greater Manchester. 

From the fifties to the nineties, carefully-designed posters with bright colours were displayed with information or to encourage people to travel by bus and coach. The internet ended their appearance, but even today older residents of Greater Manchester know that they could buy a Saver Seven from bus stations, or that Yelloway coaches would whisk you away in comfort to London or North Wales. 

Most posters ended up being torn down, but the Museum has a unique collection and has been scanning and repairing them to their full colourful glory – and it's even making reproduction print available from its online souvenir shop. 

Museum chairman Dennis Talbot explained the background:

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"if you're waiting at a bus stop, you're a captive audience for a poster with an eye-catching message. So bus companies would promote their own services – whether that was to hire a coach, or even go for a day out on Sundays." 

The 1970s and 1980s age of Greater Manchester Transport was especially creative – telling passengers to 'hound around for a pound' using an all-day 'Sunday Rover' ticket, or – and this is a bit of a stretch – taking a bus on a rainy day to visit Greater Manchester's indoor attractions. 

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"What we love about these old posters is that they were usually drawn by hand, with vibrant colours to attract the eye. Our conservationists have spent hours repairing blemishes and rejuvenating faded colours digitally before adding to our shop, so that anyone can have a reminder of their childhood days out by bus on the wall." 

The Museum's shop now stocks over 40 restored posters for online purchase at www.motgmshop.uk/posters. 

An HMP Forrest Bank prison officer from Darwen has denied murdering David Toulson who was found dead in his Adelphi Street flat on his 40th birthday.

Appearing at Manchester Crown Court, 29-year-old James Johnson plead not guilty to the charge of murder via video-link at a pre trial hearing held this morning (2nd August).

The case was adjourned until a pre-trial review on the 4th of November, with the trial set for December.

Mr Johnson was remanded back into custody until that date.

Photo Credits:

(Main) James Johnson via Facebook 

(Insert) David Toulson via GMP