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Gorton MP Afzal Khan has presented a petition to the House of Commons in a bid to stop people from parking on pavements.
Mr Khan, who also serves as Shadow Justice Minister, is calling on the Government to outlaw pavement parking that ‘prevents others from living their daily lives’.
Speaking to the M.E.N’s community reporter Maisie Lawton, Mr Khan said cars parked on walkways have an impact on those with mobility impairments, the neurodiverse and parents with young children.
He explained: “For some people, it might be a minor inconvenience. But for many others, it can prevent them from attending a hospital appointment or even leaving their home.”
Pavement parking can also reduce access for those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters who will often have to drive into the road to get around blocked paths.
The MP said he has received an ‘overwhelming response’ from his constituents about the petition, and says he has ‘never had the sheer volume of upset about a local issue’ before.
He added: “Pavement parking is not only an issue for those with disabilities or young children, but encourages speeding and reckless driving in neighbourhoods. It’s time the Government takes action.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Everyone should be able to navigate their streets without obstacle and we’ll continue to work with local authorities and charities to keep pavements clear wherever possible.
“In 2020, we launched a consultation to explore options for tackling pavement parking and better equip councils to take action. We will publish the response and announce next steps as soon as possible."
In today’s Mancunian Way, we’ll be looking at 'stalemates', vapes and a bit of LEGO, but first we’ll be continuing with a further look at how pavement parking can make things difficult for people.
'It's frightening'
Katy Daly, who has cerebral palsy, uses a powered wheelchair and says she often faces a ‘nightmare’ getting around Manchester’s streets. She has even received abuse online for trying to raise awareness over the issue.
As Katy spoke to Maisie whilst exploring Manchester last month, she encountered a car blocking the pavement which stopped her from getting past safely.
"I'll have to find a dropped kerb and travel along the main road," the 26-year-old said. "It would take seconds for a car to not notice and hit me. And who would be put at fault? Me, for being on the road."
Katy said that it’s not just cars that block the pavement - residents will also often leave wheelie bins out in the middle of the walkway.
"When you're disabled you have to be good at problem-solving every day," she explained. "I'm used to getting around and critically thinking when travelling. When you face an obstacle you can't get around, it hits you."
She added: "You can't just go around the car and immediately get back up onto the kerb. I have to wait for a dropped kerb, which can lead to moving along a busy road for long periods of time. It's frightening."
Speaking about the online abuse she’s had to endure when trying to make points about the situation, she said she’s been called ‘mentally ill’ while others have also threatened to ‘run her over’.
"I got a lot of hate, but thought 'I can do this',” she defiantly says. "It's obviously an issue as I received a lot of private messages from people supporting me. As long as people see the value in it, I'll keep doing it."
You can read more on Katy's experience here.
Let's call the whole thing off, eh?
Andy Burnham has offered to meet with unions representing Metrolink drivers who are due to strike next week.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester hopes to break a 'stalemate' in talks over pay between staff and bosses but has asked that the strikes planned on June 10 and 11 - the same weekend that Parklife is being held at Heaton Park - are postponed.
The strike action is also set to disrupt those trying to get to Soccer Aid at Old Trafford, Roger Waters at the AO Arena and The Weeknd at the Etihad Stadium.
"I will set up a process of talks, but it has to be in the real world with the kind of pressures we're under,” Mr Burnham said this week. "Let's get around that table and see if we can find a way forward. But in return, I do ask the trade union today to postpone those strikes next weekend."
Mr Burnham said that the 5 pc pay rise which is currently on offer is 'not bad'. But Unite has described the offer - which, if accepted, would cover a 15-month period before pay is reviewed again - as a 'very significant real terms pay cut'.
Despite the Mayor’s pleas, Unite insisted the strikes are still set to go ahead as planned. A spokesperson for the union said: “Metrolink has failed to make an improved offer and therefore the strikes are set to go ahead as planned."
'On the case'
Earlier this week, we reported on a school in Oldham where a student collapsed after using a vape for the first time.
Glyn Potts, headteacher at Blessed John Henry Newman RC College in Chadderton, said the vape was bought from Manchester’s ‘counterfeit street’ and warned that young people 'need advice and information' when it comes to vaping.
Following the story, Ministers have now pledged to close a loophole allowing retailers to give free samples of vapes to children in England. There will also be a review into banning retailers from selling 'nicotine-free' vapes to under-18s, and on the rules for issuing fines to shops that illegally sell vapes to children.
Rishi Sunak said he is 'shocked by reports of illicit vapes containing lead getting into the hands of schoolchildren'. The Prime Minister said: "Our new illicit vape enforcement squad - backed by £3 million - is on the case but clearly there is more to do.
"That is why I am taking further action today to clamp down on rogue firms who unlawfully target our children with these products. The marketing and the illegal sales of vapes to children is completely unacceptable and I will do everything in my power to end this practice for good."
You can read more on the plans here.
Here comes the derby
Manchester United and Manchester City will go head-to-head against each other during the FA Cup Final in Wembley on Saturday.
Charitable fans are being encouraged to put their support behind their favourite team with a small donation to St Ann's Hospice. The charity The Manchester Donation Derby is asking people to donate the price of a match day pint to their favourite team’s page, with the funds being put towards the building of a much-needed hospice in Heald Green, Stockport.
Anne-Marie Wynne, Head of Fundraising and Capital Appeal at St Ann’s Hospice, says: “We’re so excited to be launching our first ever Manchester Donation Derby! With the match set to keep everyone on the edge of their seats, it’s a great time to get involved in raising money for our new hospice and to get your favourite team to win.”
At the time of writing, Manchester United fans are out-donating City. You can donate here.
Also getting in the Derby spirit is LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester which has recreated the upcoming FA Cup match and the iconic trophy adored with both sides' colours.
The scene also includes a LEGO pitch scene, with 11 players from either side including a recognisable Erling Haaland and United fan favourite Marcus Rashford.
Jenn McDonough, General Manager at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester, said: “We cannot wait for the FA Cup final here at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester. It’s fantastic for the city to have two sides represented on English football’s biggest stage and we’re proud of the clubs regardless of the outcome.”
The pitch will remain neutral until after the game, and visitors can check out the scene in person at the LEGOLAND Centre at the Trafford Centre.
At risk housing
The location of a former bakery in Wigan is to be used to build a new apartment block for young people at risk of homelessness.
The three-storey tower block on Boundary Street will provide 38 homes at an affordable rate for people aged between 16 and 25. Supporting those most at risk of becoming homeless, the apartment block will allow young people to live independently whilst also having support closeby when needed.
The plans for the build will also include communal and training space ‘to encourage social interaction and to deliver key training courses to the residents’, reports Local Democracy Reporter George Lythgoe.
The block will also include studio facilities, a training kitchen, a meeting space, and both an indoor and outdoor gym alongside breakout and recreational space.
Your Housing Group, who describe the site as a ‘Foyer facility’, said it will ‘provide opportunities for personal development’ and enable young people to increase their employability as well as their health and wellbeing.
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Weather etc
Temperatures: Sunny. 21C.
Road closures: Croft Road in Sale closed in both directions due to gas main work between Norris Road and Kershaw Avenue. Until June 14.
Dickenson Road in Rusholme closed in both directions between Wilmslow Road and Hythe Close due to emergency repairs and an unsafe building. Until June 16.
Train strikes: Strike action taking place on Saturday. A very limited rail service will operate with delays and cancellations expected. Plan ahead.
Trivia question: Gordon Ramsay, who opened his latest Manchester restaurant this week, opened his first signature Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in 1998. But where is it located? (Hint: it's not in Manchester)
Manchester headlines
- Simpsons: A little vegan café drenched in Simpson's memorabilia is making a name for itself at Affleck’s Palace. Desert Island Dumpling allows people to eat ‘non-traditional’ dumplings while surrounded with decor based around the animated family. Details here.
Vegas: Manchester Airport has announced it will serve flights to Las Vegas for the first time in four years. It is the only airport in the UK outside of London to fly directly to America's West Coast.
Aitch: Rapper Aitch made a surprise appearance during Coldplay’s gig at the Etihad Stadium. "Coldplay duetting with Aitch wasn't on my 2023 bingo card…,” said one fan. More here.
Toilets: Albert's Schloss has transformed a toilet cubicle into a mini nightclub where you can boogie and sing along to classic hits like ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’, ‘It's Raining Men’ and ‘I’m Coming Out' as you do your business. Each to their own.
Worth a read
Gordon Ramsay has opened a new Japanese concept restaurant inside a stunning Grade II-listed building on King Street that was once the Midland Bank.
The Art Deco-style restaurant, located in the former Jamie’s Italian premises, is based on the drinking dens of 1930s Tokyo and the ‘kissa’ jazz bars that were popular at the time.
Dishes revolve around Asian-inspired small plates, Robata grilled dishes, sushi and sashimi, alongside a strong selection of dumplings and bao buns. The restaurant's signature dishes include black cod, beef sirloin 'weeping tiger' and a Lucky Cat duck bao.
Perhaps most exciting (to me, at least) is the restaurant’s ‘Lucky Negroni’ cocktail. As What’s On editor Jenna Campbell reports, diners are asked to roll three dice from a mystery box to determine the cocktail’s combination of gin, vermouth and bitters. There’s 216 combinations possible, making the drink ‘a personalised, exhilarating experience’ each time.
You can take a look inside the restaurant here.
That's all for today
Thanks for joining me. If you have stories you would like us to look into, email adam.maidment@reachplc.com.
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The answer to today's trivia question is: Chelsea.
