From the Canal to Sevenways

Author: Mike Cordingley

  • June Update (Planning) Surfing on its way

    June Update (Planning) Surfing on its way

    Cricket Ground – new Red Rose stand incorporating hotel

    The Red Rose development at Lancashire Cricket Club was allowed at planning committee. Essentially this is reduced size hotel compared to a previous application. I’m not exactly bowled over by the plan. I’m quite proud of Old Trafford cricket ground and this does not seem up to their usual standard. Doesn’t seem to have attracted opposition from the cricket club’s membership, but I think they could have done better.

    Warwick Road Development

    Warwick Road Development Refused by the planning committee

    The development on Warwick Road was refused at the May planning committee. The grounds for refusal are listed as primarily that its site coverage, height, scale and massing, would have a dominating and adverse impact on the streetscene, fail to integrate with and complement neighbouring development, fail to make the best of the
    opportunity to improve the character and quality of the area.

    Discussion at the planning committee centred on the development providing no parking whatsoever. This seems to be a growing phenomenon and we saw something similar in Sale town centre this week. The feeling expressed is that there should be ‘some’ parking even if it’s not a space per apartment. My view on that is that it’s better to provide none than ‘not enough’, otherwise you’re creating an inbuilt tension within the development and with existing residents. Having said that, I do think that the massing in particular was inappropriate to the street and support the refusal.

    New application Surfing Centre on Barton Dock Road

    Surfing Trafford

    The proposed redevelopment seeks to transform a previously developed industrial site, now vacant, into a new regionally significant leisure and sports facility focused on providing surfing, skate, climbing and other associated activities including food & beverage.

    The site has already been cleared of previous light-industrial employment buildings in 2014, leaving only concrete hard-standing. More recently the area has been used as storage for containers. The proposal will also utilise a 1.3 ha site on the east-side of Park Way (A5081) that is currently underused residual land from the former rail line through Trafford Park, linked to the main site via a tunnel under the road.

    The proposal, known as ‘Modern Surf Manchester’, is centred around a large outdoor shallow lake known as the ‘Cove’ which creates artificial waves designed for optimum surfing conditions via a central mechanical ‘Pier’. The system is powered by technology provided and managed by ‘Wavegarden’ (WG), whose systems are widely regarded
    as the most realistic artificial surf technology to have been developed globally to date.

    The Modern Surf facility at TraffordCity will form part of a wider network of Wavegarden surf coves around the world, with four open presently and a further 30 planned including at least three in the UK.

    I love this proposal and hope it progresses. The car parking is actually provided in Gorse Hill Ward using the container base sidings on our side of Parkway. I’ve been in touch with the developer to plea for them to look at the route through Lostock Park to improve the juncture with St Modwen’s Way as a planning gain. There seems on the face of it to be a good symbiosis with Lostock Park’s renowned skate board facilities and it would be beneficial to improve links.

    Planning Application (Surf Centre) Link

    New application: Newsagent to become a Takeaway

    Newsagents opposite Gorse Hill Park on Talbot Road

    There’s an application to convert the newsagents on Talbot Road to a Takeaway.

    Planning Application (Takeaway) link

    New Application Warwick Rd South

    Current Site

    This is an application for 126 apartments on the corner facing Old Trafford Metrolink spot. We’re waiting to see what they’re proposing with their contribution to affordable housing but as it stands it looks as though this is for private sale and rental.

    It’s hard to see that this won’t be a highly saleable site. It’s a location calling for development for a long time and I’m pleased to see things beginning to move. I’ve actually been trying for a long time to have the Ayres Road corridor included in the Civic Quarter Masterplan and it’s a shame that we aren’t in a better place to determine shaping the plans and supporting placemaking. That said, the outline application already submitted looked attractive and they seem to be sticking with those aspects.

    link to planning application
  • Covid-19 Vaccination Progress

    Covid-19 Vaccination Progress

    This has been a big issue for me. To be honest, I’ve ruffled a few feathers and got a ticking off at this month’s Labour group meeting, but hey-ho.

    In the wealthy belt across the south of the borough the GPs seem to have worked through the cohorts at breakneck speed, way ahead of the Government’s schedule. It’s paying off. The rates of infection are now too low to measure across that area which hitherto has consistently had amongst the highest rates in Trafford. Trafford’s vaccination rate is very, very good in general except for the Stretford/Old Trafford area.

    Seven–day rolling rate of new cases by specimen date ending on 17 Mar 2021

    Vaccine rates in the north of the borough (the wards of Clifford, Longford, Gorse Hill and Stretford) continue to lag. We didn’t get off to a good start – the Delamere Centre is not a convenient location to serve the whole of the area and it took too long for Limelight to be brought alongside in Old Trafford to provide a second centre.

    Nevertheless, we are where we are with centre locations. We still have a problem with vaccine take-up. Vaccine hesitancy in poorer areas, particularly amongst the BAME population is an issue across the country and it’s something we need to take seriously.

    The Government is not paying it very much attention yet, but I think we should in Trafford. I logged on to a Local Government webinar last week on this issue; and it was clear the Government’s take was just to concentrate on the numbers, get through the willing as quickly as you can. I get that. The numbers matter. However, leaving less protected populations will matter too.

    We see that covid is not affecting people equally. My concern with the vaccine is that the very people that have a right to be concerned about safety for historical; and to be honest, contemporary systemic reasons are the same group of people at greater risk of exposure and death from the disease. So, it is really worrying and highlights the importance of having these conversations; and going beyond just saying ‘trust us, it’s safe’ to really engaging and listening to people; and understanding where people come from and taking the time to address those concerns. Because otherwise, you have a further widening of the inequality you want to avoid, where the vaccine coverage also ends up being unequal with lower coverage in areas of black and minority ethnic groups which would be such a tragedy.

    Dr Tollulah Oni – urban epidemiologist at the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge

    The quote is from a video interview with Dr Oni published by the Voice newspaper and is well worth watching in full. https://youtu.be/2oE3IGOMXc4

    There’s not enough acknowledgement that there are genuine issues. The video quoted above was released in December so it’s not as though we weren’t warned. We really need to listen to people, to be patient, to go the extra mile. It’s not simply a case of going through the Imams. I think there’s more we can do. I want to learn from places like Birmingham who have nearly 600 community covid champions – volunteers from within the community. We need to break through that lack of trust and it’s not going to be easy. The ‘hesitancy’ rate in the north of Trafford is at least double of any of the other areas.

    However, I think we can do it and when you see the improved covid rates for Hale, you have to say we have every incentive to make this work.

  • Spring is the air – Councillor update

    Spring is the air – Councillor update

    A focus on litter and having a natter

    Days are getting longer and there’s a more upbeat feel to everything. We’ve had a couple of dry weekends and it’s great that so many are taking the opportunity to get outside. I’ve been out delivering party leaflets the last couple of Saturdays and I’ve made a resolution this year that I’ll only leaflet in company. We’ve led such solitary lives during lock-down, I’m just not prepared to waste the opportunity to chat to someone outside my bubble whilst I walk the streets. It may be less efficient but some things are more important and it’s a resolution I’m sticking to. It makes leafleting fun and I’ve found it thoroughly enjoyable.

    Lots of litter picking going on in Stretford and other places in Trafford. Partington in particular has been especially noteworthy. But it’s Stretford that’s my focus, and isn’t it fabulous how the baton has been picked up by the Stretford Litter Pickers. Hannah and the team seem to have really caught the mood. If you’ve not yet joined their Facebook group, you really should.

    This Saturday they’ll be working from Hawthorn Road on that strip of green-space below the Bridgewater Canal.

    Casework Update

    Continuing to work on the Gorse Street/Chester Road Alley. It’s regularly being fly-tipped by a takeway. Empty bulk containers of chicken are being put out in the alley with impunity. Pressing the council to take action. We’re on a promise for having restoration of lights which seem to have been switched off. The alley is very dark at night and it would improve things to have the council’s lights switched back on. We’ve also had some incidents of human defecation (the working assumption is late night delivery workers) and clearly lights would deter.

    The good news is that the last of the abandoned commercial bins has gone and at the same time there’s greater engagement of residents on both sides of the alley.

    Sadly, the bid for integrated community funding was unsuccessful. Disappointing as the work on the alley is a classic case of integration arising from common cause. An issue that brings people together is often a better vehicle for funding than existing groups looking for an issue.

    HGVs getting lost in residential areas. Progress being made in reinforcing a message that HGVs should not use a route from M60 junction 7 (A56 Stretford/Sale). We really could do with some signage deterring this and I’m pursuing it.

    Curzon Road parking issues. This revolves around the increased popularity of Lostock Park, particularly the skateboard section. Not making as much progress with this as I’d like. What we need is a proper audit/survey of parking rather than a catalogue listing of ‘H’ bar prices and dropped kerbs.

    Meetings

    School Governors Meetings – I’ve had so many this March – headteacher appraisal, governors update meetings on return to school, Core Group meeting, SEN teacher appointments, Headteacher appointment approval, School Financial Value Standard meetings.

    Vaccine progress meeting – more on this in a separate post to follow

    Planning meetings – too many applications for one meeting – had to adjourn to a continuation meeting

    Children and Health Scrutiny – really recommend the latest Children’s meeting on school places. It’s available on youtube.

    Labour Party AGM, Labour Group meeting – AGMs are always a bit turgid and it’s better when there’s contest. Slightly subdued this year.

    Mayor’s Challenge Fund Tranche 2 preview meeting. One of the projects shown to us was the Talbot Road/Greatstone Road junction. I’m delighted to say that I’ve been shown a scheme that will withstand actually being implemented. Fingers crossed that this can be delivered without interference.

  • Winter Update

    Winter Update

    So, January and February have been in lockdown. It doesn’t make that much difference to formal business on the face of it. Meetings have been virtual since the spring. However, casework has never been so busy.

    • Housing Issues
    • Fly-tipping
    • Street Lights
    • Construction Sites
    • Industrial Noise
    • HGVs getting lost in residential areas looking for the Euro Terminal
    • Floods from Storm Cristoph
    • Major Evacuations due to fire-arms being found in numerous Gorse Hill locations
    • Planning issues – inappropriate development
    • Alley littering
    • Bins at flats
    • Parking Permit fines
    • Parking pressure for Skateboard Park
    • Takeaway putting fats into drains.
    • Human defecation outside whilst working (3 times!!!!!)

    We’ve also had a surge in consultations

    • Doing Buses Differently: The impact of Covid-19 on our proposals for the future of your buses.
    • Future Stretford – Stretford Mall transition to a High Street repopulated with new homes
    • Civic Quarter action plan (closes 5th March) – Trafford Council wants your views on the soundness of the Civic Quarter Area Action Plan and supporting documents.
    • Trafford Local Plan (closes 18th March)

    Schools

    It was really hard on the first day of term for our primary schools. There were serious worries that Covid was running out of control. Government was insisting schools return when everyone knew they’d have to go back to lock-down. Being a chair of governors, it wasn’t an easy time, I was glad to hear from the staff in the playground. So frustrating that by teatime all schools were in lockdown again.

    Formalising remote learning for pupils has been a real challenge but we’ve achieved a much higher compliance than we ever thought possible. It’s really difficult for vulnerable children but I can’t praise school staff enough for what they’ve delivered this term in delivering the curriculum as much as they have. No thanks to the secretary of state who’s been absent without leave for most of the time.

    Covid update

    There’s no question we needed to go into lockdown. Hospital admissions were going through the roof, higher here than for any time since the start of the lockdown.

    4th March 2021
    Covid in-patients (north-west region)

    The lockdown has worked beyond the most optimistic projections alongside increased vaccination of the most at-risk groups. The rate of improvement is remarkable shown by steep decline at the back end of the graph but we’re only half way there. It’s vital we keep vigilent.

    I’m trying to get a handle on how we’re doing for vaccinations in Gorse Hill Ward.

    Frustratingly, the data seems awry. Please, if you’re over 70 and still awaiting a vaccine appointment, start making a fuss if there’s been no contact.

    The data actually suggests that there’s roughly 1100 of you in the wider Stretford/Old Trafford area – this is far higher than any other part of Trafford and probably higher than anywhere else in the country. That said, I’m doubting the data, it doesn’t ring true.

    I’ve been called for vaccination at the Delamere and I’m 62. It couldn’t have been more efficient. It really doesn’t seem feasible they’re inviting me when they’ve 1100 more vulnerable patients to do on their books and that’s what the graph below says.

    I can’t ignore the data and yet I don’t believe it which is really infuriating. I’m hoping to get clarity at the next meeting.

    North = Stretford/Old Trafford
    Blue = vaccinated, red = refused, grey = awaiting

    What isn’t in doubt is that our refusal rate is high. Hopefully we can get that down as people feel more confident in what the vaccine is achieving.

    Lastly

    I just wanted to let you know something I’ve already told my Labour branch. I’ve come to the difficult decision that I will not be seeking reelection again as Gorse Hill Councillor. I’ve still got a little time on my current term of office and I won’t be standing down this May. The reason for the early notice is to give the branch time to start thinking about it.

    All sorts of reasons both political and personal, but yeah I think it’s the right decision.

  • Still no joy on Humphrey Park subway

    Still no joy on Humphrey Park subway

    Reply from Network Rail

    “The details you provided were passed to our maintenance supervisor who has advised that a team will be in the area within the next 5-7 weeks and at this time, they will assess the site to understand what work needs to take place.

    Due to current circumstances, our main priority is keeping the railway running for key workers and freight which means smaller jobs such as graffiti and fly tipping aren’t being prioritised like they usually would.

    This being said, once the team have established the level of graffiti, the clearance will be added to their work bank to take place when resource is available.

    It may also be worth raising this issue with Trafford Council to see what they can do to assist with the problem. If they contact us directly, I’ll be able to forward this on to the necessary team so the 2 parties (as well as Northern) can look at what options are available.”

    Next Steps

    I think it is worth talking to Trafford officers. There’s no question the subway badly needs investment. I’d really like to see it on the Bee Network schedule for walking and cycling investment. It’s not really been taken up by the local cycling forum, presumably because it’s seen as primarily a walking route. Somehow we’ve got to squeeze it onto the programme. The obvious solution is replacing the steps with a much longer gradient on both sides. This would actually make the station wheel chair accessible too.

    So I’m inclined to pursue once Christmas is out of the way.

  • Alleyway Blues

    Alleyway Blues

    I was contacted in June in respect of an infestation of rats at a property on Gorse Street. This was an exceptionally large and bold infestation that were moving openly on a lean-to roof of the property’s outbuilding.

    Whilst the infestation of rats was the trigger for the contact, there were a lot of separate issues in connection with the alleyway.

    The Chester Road businesses are generally keeping their commercial waste bins in the alley. Most are unlocked, but increasingly we’re seeing commercial bins locked shut. This is welcome, but has implications for the flats above shops. Bags of household waste are routinely thrown into open commercial bins.

    An issue as recently as June was the blocking of the alley drain due to congealed oils and fats. There have been long periods of the drain being blocked and a large milky white sludge collecting as a large puddle in the alley. Responsibility was disputed between the council and United Utilities, but I understand that that is now clarified with the council taking on responsibility.

    However, residents understandably are keen the takeaways undertake their business responsibly and it has not always been the case.

    April 2020

    When a business ceases trading

    At least one of the takeaway businesses ceased trading during the first lock-down and essentially shut-up shop, leaving their commercial waste uncollected and un-invoiced.

    This was unresolved for months. The bin was left festering whilst accumulating even more black waste bags alongside it.

    Eventually this bin was removed, presumably by the contractor; and the Council removed the bags (as fly-tipping) a week or so later.

    As a minimum, I’m arguing that there needs to be clear indications as to which business a bin belongs to. If a business does ‘a runner’ and ceases trading it should be made relatively easy for a third party to contact the waste contractor. On this bin I couldn’t do that, all I could do was tell the waste contractor it was one of theirs and it was unlikely they’d get paid for removing it.

    We should therefore expect it to be standard that all commercial bins in the alley should have an indication as to which business they are contracted to. We would hope that the council would make this a condition of keeping bins in the alley.

    We would also expect that commercial bins in the alley should be locked so as to avoid accumulating fly-tipped waste and overflowing.

    May 2020

    Flats above the shops with no bins

    We’ve inherited a situation where it’s commonplace that no bins are attached to the flats above the shops there. Even if they had bins, it’s not clear where they could be kept.

    Quite sensibly in many ways, the residents use plastic bags to take out and dispose of the waste. However, it’s not efficient and encourages pests; and it’s never been part of the waste contract whether Amey or their predecessors to collect waste in bags. We do not want to change that.

    But it’s completely unacceptable to have the situation we had with the commercial bin in the photograph. Most of that waste is domestic ‘fly-tipped’ waste put into a commercial bin that was abandoned.

    We’ve got to get to a proper scheme of waste disposal for these flats. They’re council tax payers and they’re entitled to a proper scheme. I don’t know whether that will be bin stores in the alley or some form of communal bins, but the current situation is not tenable. We need to work with the residents to come up with a solution.

    Although we made massive strides since June, we’ve still got a way to go. I want to get to a situation where rats go hungry and move on by, that there’s not a ready supply in the alley.

    November 2020