Councillors

Going walkabout in Whalley Range

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Mary joins Whalley Range residents on the ‘benches walkabout’

Thursday (October 1st) was International Older People’s Day – to celebrate the occasion Age-Friendly Whalley Range organised a (socially distanced) walkabout, visiting some of the age-friendly benches in Whalley Range and providing an opportunity for some of our less mobile older residents to meet others at their nearest bench for a quick chat.

Councillor Mary Watson joined the walkers – she says “We had such a good time – so lovely to see each other, the first time we’ve been able to (other than on screens) since the lockdown started in March!”. She adds “From the calls that Aftab, Angeliki and I have received in the last few months we know that that the Covid risks and restrictions on movement and socialising have disproportionately affected older people in the area, especially those living on their own. We all need to carry on looking out for and supporting our neighbours”.

More information about Age-Friendly Whalley Range is here, or you can call 0161 881 3744 or email agefriendlywhalleyrange@gmail.com.

Moss Side and Whalley Range road repairs continue

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Assia and Aftab on Demesne Road this morning

As promised, Manchester City Council are pressing ahead with a £100m road investment programme, carrying out necessary repairs and improvements to make the city’s roads usable and safe for motorists and cyclists alike. Following recent major work to Withington Road, there will be two more resurfacing schemes starting in the area this month. Work to the east end of Demesne Road (adjacent to Alexandra Park) will commence on Wednesday 12th and last for approximately 9 days, and work to Edith Avenue and Burdith Avenue will start on Thursday 13th and last for approximately 7 days.

Assia Shah (Labour candidate in the next local election) says “Improvement work to these roads has been a high priority for a while and we’re pleased that it’s been possible to fit this work into the summer schedule. Please get in touch if you need any more information.”

Cycleway latest – 1st stage complete, next to start shortly

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Angeliki tests out the new CYCLOPS junction on Chorlton Rd

The first stage of the new Manchester to Chorlton Cycle Way is now complete, including an innovative junction between Chorlton Road and Royce Road which was opened today. This style of crossing, known as CYCLOPS for ‘Cycling Optimised Signalling’, prioritises pedestrians and cyclists and facilitates right turns in one traffic light phase.

Whalley Range Labour councillor Angeliki Stogia is also Executive member for Environment, Planning and Transport. She says “It was very exciting to see the new junction opened this morning and to be able to announce the start of the next section of the work as far as Brooks Bar. Once that is finished we hope to move straight on to the following section – Upper Chorlton Road as far as Seymour Grove – which when ready will provide a safe, fast cycle route into the city for many Whalley Range residents. While this will benefit existing cyclists, our priority is to encourage a much wider range of people to take to their bikes to get in and out of town – reducing road traffic and pollution and increasing health and wellbeing”.

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Latest 20mph speed limit proposals – have your say

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Major resurfacing work on Withington Road is currently in progress

Addressing concerns raised by many local people over the last year, the three Whalley Range councillors have requested that Withington Road and Alexandra Road South are considered for inclusion in the next round of roads to be designated with a 20mph speed limit.

Councillor Angeliki Stogia says “These roads are predominantly residential but also serve local shops, schools, religious facilities and of course Alexandra Park, and are well used by cyclists and crossed by many pedestrians. We need to do everything we can to encourage safe driving”.

Part of Withington Road is already a 20mph zone, but these proposals would see the scheme extended to the full length of the road – see here for a plan. If you would like more information or to make any comments, please get in touch with any of the Councillors before June 22nd.

Withington Rd to be resurfaced this June

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Angeliki checks the state of some of the existing potholes before work starts

The surface of Withington Road between Manley Road and the old Whalley pub has been in poor condition for some time, with a number of potholes making things difficult for drivers and creating dangers for cyclists. But as part of the £100m highways investment programme by the City Council, this section of the road is now going to be fully resurfaced, with work starting on Thursday 4 June.

Cllr Angeliki Stogia says “Aftab, Mary and I know that local residents have had concerns about the condition of this road, and we’ve been pushing for this work to be prioritised. We’re really pleased that it will soon be underway.”

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