The Mancunian Way: Next stop Stockport?

Hello

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Stockport could be about to get the Metrolink. I know, I know… those words have been written several times in recent years.

But this time it might be for real. “There is reason to believe that, within a month, it will finally be confirmed the borough WILL finally see trams run through,” writes Ethan Davies.

Newly re-elected mayor Andy Burnham said on Thursday morning that ‘we are about to say more on’ Metrolink expansion plans. Under further questioning on BBC Radio Manchester, the mayor said he ‘would like to see them built in the decade’ and also said ‘the new Stockport Interchange has been built with tram capability’.

So, where might the line go? Ethan has examined previous proposals and dormant lines and infrastructure to put together a detailed evaluation of its route and potential stops.

You can read his thoughts here.

Home comforts

Many of you will be reading today’s newsletter while working from home, hybrid or full-time remote working having become commonplace since the pandemic.

But one of Greater Manchester’s biggest companies is rowing back on its WFH arrangements. And staff are not best pleased.

Workers at the headquarters of Bury-based JD Sports say they have been told working from home has been cancelled. They say all workers have been told they are expected to come to the office from the summer, even though some people joined the company with the promise that they would not have to attend the office full time.

They fear that the move back to the office is part of increasing ‘micromanagement’ following a ‘loss in profits’.

A source close to JD told the M.E.N.: "JD’s temporary hybrid policy was introduced in response to the global pandemic, and JD contracts in general do not guarantee hybrid working and stipulate a specific workplace as a location. JD is not changing contracts which specify remote working, field-based, or flexible working arrangements.”

‘Ungovernable’

The fall-out from last week’s local elections is still being felt in Oldham. The council is said to be 'in chaos' as political groups jostle for leadership of the town hall after it went into no overall control.

Independents want to create a 'mega-coalition' to challenge Labour, which is trying to stay in charge with the support of councillors outside the party. Meanwhile Labour leader Arooj Shah could also face a leadership challenge after her party’s disappointing showing.

“The council faces an uncertain immediate future, with some councillors and parties refusing to engage or cooperate,” writes Charlotte Hall. “Many say they had 'no idea' what was coming as voters prepared to go to the polls.”

One source said: "It's making me think this town might be ungovernable."

Mothers and babies ‘at risk’

Maternity services at Stockport’s Stepping Hill hospital have been slammed again after inspectors found mothers and babies have been 'at risk' because of 'unsafe' understaffing. Maternity care was ranked as 'requires improvement' in a report published in May 2020 by the health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The inspectors have published another report again rating the maternity care as 'requires improvement' after it was reviewed in September. “We were concerned that staff often felt care was unsafe due to understaffing," the CQC said in the wake of the report, published today, said.

"On the day of our inspection there should have been 37 midwives for the 24-hour period, but there were only 27 meaning staff were working under pressure, and stretched thinly, which could place people at risk," the document added.

"A staff survey showed understaffing and excessive workload was also impacting on their ability to take breaks which needs to be addressed to ensure they don’t get burnout."

Health reporter Helena Vesty has more here…

Just the ticket

Man City fan Kevin Bryant can now count some of his heroes as neighbours after winning a £3.5m house in Cheshire’s Golden Triangle. The 53-year-old won the top prize in the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, bagging himself a five-bed mansion in Prestbury.

The devoted Blue says he now ‘hopes to bump into Jack Grealish when he pops out for a pint of milk’.

Life’s a beach

It looks like we’re in for a scorcher this weekend. And if you’re considering a trip to the coast, tourism writer Liv Clarke has this suggestion.

“An hour’s drive from Greater Manchester is a secluded village, where countryside and the coast collide,” she writes. “Located in the Wirral, Thurstaston feels a world away from nearby Liverpool.

“The village boasts gorgeous views of North Wales and is home to farms, a caravan park, charming cafes and scenic walks. Although Thurstaston's beach is small in size, it wouldn’t look out of place on the Cornish coast.”

Weather etc

Weekend: Temperatures are set to hit 23C this weekend, but the Met Office is warning there’s a chance of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon.

Trains: Industrial action means there’s likely to be disruption on services run by all Greater Manchester’s major train companies tomorrow.

Manchester headlines

Arson: A huge blaze has destroyed a 'significant' section of Clarendon leisure centre in Salford. An arson investigation after the fire broke out in the early hours. More here

Brawl: A fight erupted outside Manchester Crown Court forcing police to step in. A large group of 'around 20' men and women were seen scrapping and throwing punches in front of the steps at Crown Square, before the brawl reportedly spilled onto Bridge Street, on Thursday afternoon. Read more

Awaab’s law: The Government has been urged to 'act quickly' on the outcome of its consultation on Awaab's Law - named after a two year-old boy who died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home in Rochdale. The Conservative chairman of a committee which looked into the impacts of poor housing on health has criticised the Tory Government for what it called a 'lack of urgency' in its response to issues raised.

Worth a read

In May 2020, at the height of the first covid lockdown, a Salford-based crime gang carried out a bloody and brutal raid on a stash-house belonging to a feared Merseyside outfit, making off with £1m of cocaine. Here court reporter Andrew Bardsley examines the repercussions of an audacious heist which rocked the north west criminal underworld.