Stephen Topping

Jean Higginbottom, a 73-year-old former postal worker from Hyde, died at the scene after her Renault Clio collided with a Nissan Pixo on Manchester Road near Tintwistle and Woodhead Pass on August 19. Friends, former Royal Mail colleagues and local residents described her as kind, jolly, caring and devoted to animals. A man in his 20s from Hyde was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and bailed while enquiries continue. Derbyshire Police is seeking witnesses and dashcam or CCTV footage.

Two men aged 44 and 50 were taken to hospital with injuries consistent with stab wounds after multiple linked incidents in Ashton-under-Lyne town centre. Police also investigated assaults involving chilli oil, described initially as a non-toxic liquid. A 30-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault and remained in custody. Scenes on Stamford Street, Warrington Street and Wood Street were examined, with an increased police presence and one cordon remaining as enquiries continued.

Piccadilly Gardens has drawn sharply divided public opinions, with some visitors describing it as safe and pleasant while others cite fear and anti-social behaviour, particularly at night. Manchester City Council has unveiled plans for a major revamp featuring more greenery, benches, improved play facilities, lighting and CCTV. The column also highlights residents’ complaints about disruption around the Diecast venue, Salford’s loss of historic landmarks and cultural identity, and the growing significance of Wythenshawe Park’s homecoming music concerts.

A Manchester Evening News newsletter highlights the severe drought affecting farmers across Greater Manchester, with Park Farm’s Margaret Lees warning that grass shortages are forcing farmers to use winter feed early and could make food shortages inevitable. It also covers racist attacks against a Syrian refugee family in Salford, questions whether soap operas deliver justice after portraying serious crimes, and reports hundreds of parking fines and mounting resident frustration during the Parklife festival.

A man suffered serious injuries after being stabbed while sitting in a car on Fog Lane in Burnage, south Manchester, at about 1:30 a.m. on August 13. A female passenger was unharmed. Greater Manchester Police arrested a man on suspicion of assault and a woman on suspicion of conspiracy to commit assault; both were later bailed pending further inquiries. Police described the incident as isolated and said there was no wider threat to the public, while local shopkeepers expressed concern about safety in the area.

Luke Hill, 28, died in hospital after his motorcycle collided with an Arriva North rail replacement bus on Wigan Road in Ashton-in-Makerfield on August 6, 2026. Greater Manchester Police said the bus driver stayed at the scene and is assisting the investigation. Officers are appealing for witnesses and anyone with mobile phone or dashcam footage to come forward.

Six fire engines attended a small balcony fire at Jefferson Place in Manchester’s Green Quarter at around 2:30 a.m. on August 12, 2026. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze involved astro turf, which firefighters cut away and removed before leaving after approximately an hour.

A crash between M6 junctions 30 and 31 near Preston caused traffic to be stopped in both directions and triggered queues on the M6 and northbound M61. Vehicles were later released, but one lane in each direction remained closed while the central reservation barrier was repaired. Delays reached up to nine miles and 50 minutes before all lanes reopened, although congestion continued to clear.

Metrolink services between Ashton-under-Lyne and Etihad Campus were suspended after a tram and car collided near Williamson Lane in Droylsden. Nine stops were temporarily out of service, while passengers were advised to use Bee Network buses. No injuries were reported, the scene was cleared, and services resumed with some delays later that afternoon.

A 23-year-old motorcyclist suffered serious injuries in a collision on the A580 East Lancs Road near Golborne, Wigan. Greater Manchester Police attended at 7:45pm, and the rider was taken to hospital, where he remained in a stable but serious condition the following morning. The eastbound carriageway was closed from Haydock Island to the M6 junction 23 but has since reopened.

A partial closure order has been imposed on a house on Springside Avenue in Walkden, Salford, after months of antisocial behaviour, drug-related activity, violence and unwanted visitors reportedly disrupted neighbouring residents’ lives. For three months, only the occupant, their next of kin and authorised professionals may enter the property; others risk arrest and court proceedings. Greater Manchester Police and ForHousing may seek to extend the order if problems continue.

A male motorcyclist was taken to hospital after a collision involving a car and a motorbike on Manchester Road near junction 22 of the M60 in Hollinwood, Oldham. An air ambulance landed nearby, while part of the A62 and an M60 exit slip road were closed, causing heavy traffic. Greater Manchester Police said no arrests had been made, and Manchester Road was expected to fully reopen later that afternoon.

A woman in her 40s died after being found with significant injuries at a property on Yewdale Avenue in Breightmet, Bolton, at around 3:15 a.m. on August 4, 2026. Greater Manchester Police launched a murder investigation and arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of murder. A police cordon and increased presence remain in place while forensic investigators examine the scene.

An inquest heard that 13-year-old Madison Richardson-Gleave died by suicide at her home in Clayton on November 24 after a period of deteriorating mental health. Although police had been investigating threatening Snapchat posts and arrested a 14-year-old boy, Madison reportedly said the abuse did not trouble her, and the coroner identified relationship fears and wider mental-health difficulties as more significant factors. Her mother described repeated self-harm concerns and criticised the delayed response from CAMHS after Madison expressed suicidal thoughts. Senior coroner Zak Golombeck concluded suicide; police later released the boy with no further action.

Nathan Owen was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to four years and three months in prison for fraud and dangerous driving after claiming that his Jaguar I-PACE had become stuck at 70 mph on the motorway. Vehicle data and an investigation by Merseyside Police and Jaguar Land Rover found that the car was functioning correctly, that Owen never pressed the brakes, and that it stopped only after its battery ran out. Police also uncovered substantial personal debt, missed vehicle-finance payments and messages suggesting he had discussed getting the car written off. He was disqualified from driving for five years and until passing an extended driving test.

Bandar Alzahar, 21, has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article following the stabbing of a 19-year-old man on Church Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The victim remains in hospital with life-threatening but stable injuries. Alzahar has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, while Greater Manchester Police continues to seek witnesses and video footage.

A man in his 20s is fighting for his life after a collision between a Sur-Ron electric bike and a Tesla on Holden Road in Leigh. Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is appealing for witnesses and CCTV, dashcam, doorbell or mobile-phone footage from the area. The road was closed after the crash, which involved an air ambulance response, and enquiries remain ongoing.

Greater Manchester Police issued a new CCTV image and updated timeline in the search for Jessica, a 16-year-old from Tameside who has been missing since July 16, 2026. Police said she travelled by bus from Denton and was seen getting off at Piccadilly Gardens at about 8:25 p.m. She is considered a high-risk missing person, and police and her family are urging anyone with information or relevant CCTV, phone, or dashcam footage to come forward.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to improve the poor road and rail connections between Manchester and Sheffield, describing the region’s winding roads and unreliable rail service as inadequate for two major economic hubs. He highlighted Northern Powerhouse Rail, as well as upgrades to the Woodhead and Snake passes, while citing geography, protected Peak District land and decades of under-investment as obstacles. The announcement coincided with plans to let regional mayors retain more local tax revenue, which South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership welcomed as a way to support long-term infrastructure investment.

Traffic was temporarily stopped on the M6 northbound between junctions 27 at Standish and 28 at Leyland after animals, later identified as a cow, entered the motorway. A rolling road block caused stationary traffic and queues approaching the affected area, but the cow was removed and traffic had resumed by 08:37 on August 1, 2026.

Bev Craig has been elected Greater Manchester mayor for Labour after defeating Reform UK candidate Sian Astley in a second-round count, taking 66% of the vote after second preferences were included. Former mayor Andy Burnham congratulated Craig, praising her intelligence, compassion and determination and saying he could not think of anyone better to lead the city-region. Craig said she was humbled by the result and ready to serve all three million residents. She will leave her Manchester council seat because the mayor cannot simultaneously be a serving councillor.

A wildfire that began on Tintwistle Moor on June 24 has burned extensive moorland, woodland and wildlife and remains a complex deep-seated peat fire. Firefighters and partner agencies have worked for weeks under a major-incident response, while the cause remains unknown. The closure of the A628 Woodhead Pass reduced heavy traffic and was welcomed by many Tintwistle residents, though it harmed local businesses and disrupted the 237 bus service, leaving some residents dependent on lifts for medical appointments. The road reopened on July 31 with temporary traffic controls, and residents are calling for action on lorry traffic, portable barbecues and countryside fire prevention.

Ahoor Ramabark Fathi, 62, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to supplying drugs, possessing a firearm and ammunition, and handling criminal property. Police found 2,256 litres of GBL in a storage container he rented, along with £100,000 in cash, crystal meth, ammunition and a firearm. The investigation uncovered a drug route between Manchester and London involving GBL travelling south and crystal meth travelling north. Metropolitan Police Detective Inspector Mark Gavin said the seizure was among the largest quantities of GBL recovered in London and had prevented the drug from reaching communities.

A four-vehicle collision on the clockwise M60 between junctions 16 and 17 caused major rush-hour delays, with queues reaching back to junction 13 and affecting the southbound M61. Two lanes were initially closed and traffic was stopped, while firefighters and police attended. No injuries were reported. Traffic began moving again by 7:40 a.m., all lanes reopened at 8:45 a.m., and queues had cleared by 9:16 a.m.

Cooler conditions and showers are providing temporary relief in Greater Manchester after a hot, dry summer and prolonged moor fires in Greenfield and Tintwistle. The Met Office forecasts temperatures of 19°C on Monday, rising to 26°C on Tuesday and 25°C on Wednesday, with sunny intervals. Temperatures are expected to ease to around 21°C on Thursday and Friday.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned that the NHS could collapse unless the social care system is reformed, arguing that poor provision contributes to long waiting times and places unnecessary pressure on hospitals. He has promised substantial change as quickly as possible but cannot yet set a timetable. The article outlines the cost barriers facing people needing care and recalls Burnham's shelved 2010 national care service proposal. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has offered conditional cooperation while demanding that reform be funded through spending reductions rather than tax rises or additional borrowing.