Dangerous potholes on Dale Street repaired after Labour intervention.

Potholes causing damage to vehicles have been filled in following demands from your city centre Labour team for the council to prioritise the repairs and carry them out immediately.

The potholes – at the Paton Street, China Lane, Lizard Street and Lever Street junctions with Dale Street – were filled in this week after local Labour councillor Kevin Peel and campaigner Joan Davies raised the issue with the council two weeks ago.

Joan said: “Despite huge government-imposed budget cuts causing a freeze to all capital spending on highways, we continue to push for repairs to those city centre roads most in need and have achieved some significant victories in recent months, including the resurfacing of Cambridge Street and part of Whitworth Street.

“We are continuing to lobby for the complete resurfacing of sections of Dale Street and the whole of Hilton Street, Tariff Street and Port Street to bring roads in the Northern Quarter up to standard. We’re hopeful of securing the budget to deliver this resurfacing in this financial year.”

(An edited version of this story appeared in the Manchester Evening News on Tuesday 24th April 2012)

City centre Labour councillor Kevin Peel and local campaigner Joan Davies have written to the developers of Origin in the city centre to demand a meeting following the submission of an application to the city’s planning authority to extend the deadline to develop the site.

The development – a 17 storey hotel, residential and office complex – located on the corner of Princess Street and Whitworth Street in the village area of the city centre stalled in 2008 when developer West Properties went bust, leaving the site derelict ever since. The original planning permission has now expired, leading to this request for an extension.

City centre resident and campaigner Joan Davies said:

” Whatever your thoughts on the original plans, nobody can argue that the outcome, which residents have had to endure for almost 5 years, is anything but horrendous. It’s fairly normal for planning applications to be extended when there have been unavoidable delays, but for this site I would encourage going back to the drawing board. The city and its residents deserve bold and beautiful; they also deserve achievable, which the current scheme clearly is not.”

Labour councillor for the city centre Kevin Peel said:

“I’ve had numerous complaints from residents about the state of the site since the development was abandoned several years ago. We had the cranes removed and the hoardings pushed back, but it continues to be an eyesore.

“Joan and I have called a meeting with the developers to demand that the site is cleaned up, secure a timetable for its development and ask them to look again at their original proposals.”

Castlefield residents are to have access to more buses following a request by your Labour team.

City Centre Councillor Kevin Peel had the issue raised with him by Castlefield residents on a walkabout of the area last year.

Kevin followed this up with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Stagecoach, who operate the buses using the routes that enter the city via Chester Road, who agreed to investigate the addition of a request stop on Chester Road near Middle Warehouse for the use of Castlefield residents.

TfGM and Stagecoach have now completed that investigation and confirmed that the area is suitable for a bus stop. They will now consult with neighbouring residents following which a final decision will be made.

City Centre Councillor Kevin Peel said:

“I’m delighted with this result. Although Castlefield is in the city centre, it’s actually a good half an hour walk up to Piccadilly and the centre of town. The addition of this request stop will be a real boost for local residents.”

**UPDATE: The stop was installed on Friday 13th April and is now operational for residents who wish to use it.**

Your city centre Labour team take action to deal with noise nuisance in the Village area.

City centre resident and campaigner Joan Davies and Councillor Kevin Peel are working with residents, businesses, the council and the police to tackle issues of noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour in the Village area.

Joan and Kevin were recently out talking to residents in the community about the problems and have also met with the police to discuss their plans to tackle the growing number of incidents reported in the Village, largely as a result of the night-time economy.

Joan said “The Village is a popular destination for people looking for a good night out and most people are sensible, but there are a small number who ruin it for other visitors and the residents who live in the area. Kevin and I will continue our work with residents and others to find ways to deal with the problems caused by those who abuse the area and hope to see marked progress in the coming months.”

Village resident Jon Ridge (pictured) said “I wasn’t expecting peace and quiet when I chose to live in this part of town, but I do expect the noise to be kept to a reasonable level and I feel that it has gotten worse in recent times. A small number of people cause trouble for everyone else and residents shouldn’t have to suffer as a result. I’m pleased to be working with Joan and Kevin to address the concerns I and other residents have.”

Councillor Kevin Peel said “We have met with the police and they have now identified the Village area as their number one hot spot, with a larger police presence here at weekends and more regular patrols by neighbourhood beat officers the rest of the time. In the coming weeks Joan and I will meet with business owners and others to discuss other ways to tackle noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour that is blighting the residents who live here.”

Report noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour issues in your area to Joan and Kevin here.

Castlefield resident and campaigner Joan Davies ensures residents’ views are heard on Granada development.

ITV are to move to Media City at Salford Quays, leaving the future of the Granada site on Quay Street in Manchester City Centre up for debate.

Local resident and campaigner Joan Davies has been working with residents in the area to gather their views on the future of the site and make representations to Councillor Kevin Peel and Manchester City Council.

Joan said “I am pleased with the council’s initial announcement of a family friendly area, with suitable amenities and public realm. Residents have told me they’d like to keep the hidden garden which is currently on the site and I’ve raised this with the council and will be pushing to ensure a good element of green space is included in the development.”

Joan Davies and Kevin Peel take action to stop buses idling with engines on in the city centre.

City centre resident and campaigner Joan Davies and Councillor Kevin Peel are working together to stamp out the bad practice of buses idling with their engines on in the Northern Quarter and across the city centre.

Joan and Kevin have made 49 complaints to transport officials over the last three months naming and shaming companies engaging in this practice, which is already against the operating guidelines.

Joan said “If you live near a point where buses, coaches and taxis wait you’ll realise just how annoying an idling engine can be. Kevin and I are determined to stop this practice from happening in the city centre, but we need your help. If you see it, report it.”

Labour back bid by Castlefield Forum for £19,000 for new information boards around Castlefield.

Your city centre Labour team were delighted to back the Castlefield Forum in their latest bid for funding from Manchester’s Labour council for improvements to the Castlefield area.

Castlefield Forum has received thousands of pounds from the council in recent years for projects to improve the local community for residents, businesses and visitors. The latest bid is for almost £19,000 for phase 3 of the new information boards.

City centre Labour & Co-op councillor Kevin Peel said “I was delighted to support this bid when it came before me for approval. I have worked with the Castlefield Forum for the last two years and they are doing fantastic work in Castlefield.”

Castlefield resident and campaigner Joan Davies – an active member of the Castlefield Forum – said “I am really pleasedthat the Forum continues to receive such support from the council. A number of residents have worked hard to build a community spirit and get things done. The new information boards are a typical example of what is being achieved by community-minded individuals with great ideas. As Forum Treasurer I know how vital this council funding has been in supporting people with vision.”

For more information about the Castlefield Forum, visit www.ourcastlefield.co.uk.