Underpass consultation promised

Its been announced that Residents and local businesses will have their say on plans to gate off a ‘dangerous’ part of canal in Manchester city centre.

Overnight barriers are proposed for a stretch of the water between Dale Street and Minshull Street,along with lifesaving rings for anyone who falls in.

Some gay campaigners and local ramblers are fighting the move, but council and police figures have fears the stretch is becoming increasingly deadly.

Gay men have long used the underpass area as a ‘cruising’ spot, many of them falling victim to violent robberies over the years.

More than a dozen people have died in the Rochdale Canal – which runs through the Gay Village and the Northern Quarter – since 2000.

The MCC are now asking those in the city centre to send in their views ahead of a formal consultation which is planned for later in the year.

Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester’s city centre spokesman, said: “This area has been the site of some very sad incidents in which people have been confronted by criminals, have ended up in the water and lost their lives". 

Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin, from Greater Manchester Police, said: “We are aware of the issues that there have been previously at this location and have been working with our partners to make it as safe as possible".

More of this in the future.

Published: 17-Jul-2014: (2523)