Tag: Wythenshawe Forum

Community News, News

Residents told they can return to homes after flood warning is stood down

Residents in Northenden and Didsbury who had been evacuated from their homes can now return, after the Severe Flood Warning for the area was stood down.

Wythenshawe Forum remains open and around 48 people attended the rest centre there overnight

This mean that people who have been evacuated from their home can now return – but emergency services remain on alert as water levels are expected to vary today. Vulnerable people will be helped to return home during the day.   

Water levels had continued to rise overnight as expected, but the Didsbury Basin did not significantly overflow and the worst-case scenario was avoided. 

However, high water levels have flooded some gardens and some roads remain closed.  

The emergency response saw more than 200 hundred Council staff, police officers, Red Cross  and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue officers on the ground who knocked on around 1,700 Didsbury and Northenden doors and supported local residents. 

Vulnerable and self-isolating residents were provided emergency accommodation overnight and care packages were provided to support people.  

People are reminded to remain at home and only travel if absolutely necessary. 

Find information about road closures and other advice on the Council’s website: www.manchester.gov.uk/stormchristoph 

Cllr Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Thankfully we avoided the level of flooding that we expected overnight. A huge debt of thanks is owed to the Council staff, emergency services and volunteers who were on the ground through the night, knocking on doors and supporting residents who had been asked to evacuate. It really was the best of Manchester in action.  

“Standing down the Severe Flood Warning means that people can now return to their homes, which I know will be a huge relief to residents who left their lives at home last night not knowing what they might go back to.  

“Water levels will continue to be reviewed throughout the day as water levels are expected to vary, so keep an eye information from the Council and emergency services.   “Our thoughts are with those people in Greater Manchester who have been badly affected.” 

Community News

Severe flood warning for Northenden as Mersey river level rises

A severe flood warning is in place for Northenden and homes have been evacuated in parts of South Manchester as levels of the River Mersey continue to rise

The GM Strategic Coordination Group for Storm Christoph and the Environment Agency have enacted warnings covering parts of Didsbury, Chorlton and Northenden tonight.   

And Manchester City Council has also set up a COVID-safe emergency rest centre at Wythenshawe Forum in case anyone is told to evacuate because of flooding and has nowhere else to go. 

People who live in the Manchester postcodes M22 4, M20 2, M20 5, M21 7, M21 8, and  M21 9, should check the flood warning service https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings

Residents are advised that only if they live in a property that is within the Severe Flood Warning area – or they are instructed by an emergency service – they should begin to evacuate their property.

This level of flood warning means that evacuations have started due to the potential risk of flooding. There is also a particular focus on supporting vulnerable households. 

The Council is working with colleagues in Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and Environment Agency to proactively evacuate homes before any flooding has taken place, which is anticipated in the early hours 21 January. This is to ensure people’s safety.  

All flood basins have been opened, but river levels are expected to rise this evening and the decision has been made to evacuate people in a safe and controlled way this evening, rather than waiting to assess the flooding impact overnight.   

When evacuating, remember:

  • Essential Medicines 
  • Insurance Documents 
  • Turn off utilities – electric, gas and water 
  • Take any important or valuable items upstairs 
  • Let friends and family know where you have gone


If someone is asked to leave their home and need to stay with family or friends temporarily due to flooding, they will not be in breach of coronavirus laws, which allow for exceptions including to escape the risk of harm – and no legal action will be taken.  

However, people should still take precautions to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus – remember to wear a face covering, keep your distance from others outside of your household or bubble, and wash hands regularly.   

Manchester City Council has also set up a COVID-safe emergency rest centre at Wythenshawe Forum in case anyone is told to evacuate because of flooding and has nowhere else to go.  

If someone has been asked to self-isolate due to Government guidance around Covid-19 or if you are clinically extremely vulnerable, they will already have been contacted directly and Covid-secure accommodation will be provided.     

Anyone with urgent need for care and support should call the Council’s Contact Centre on 0161 234 5001.  

Keep up to date  

· Sign up for Flood warnings – www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings 

· Report flooding via the Environment Agency incident hotline: 0800 80 7060 3.  

For advice and updates contact the Floodline on: 0345 988 1188 using quick dial code 143116.  
 

Key an eye on the Flood Warning Service – www.flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings  
 

· For more information on what to do in case of a flood  www.manchester.gov.uk/stormchristoph  

Cllr Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have been working closely with the police and Environment Agency to keep the levels of the River Mersey under review. The Severe Flood Warning means that we have already begun helping people evacuate safely tonight as we expect the water levels to continue to rise overnight.   

“If you are asked to leave your home we would strongly advise you to do so. Flooding and flood water can be dangerous, so we would ask you to continue to follow advice from the council, Greater Manchester Police and the Environment Agency. But please, only leave your home if you are instructed to.  

“The City Council has set up an emergency rest centre at the Wythenshawe Forum for people who are unable to stay with family or friends. If you can stay with someone, please remember to think Covid. Keep your distance, wear a face covering, wash your hands – and allow fresh air in.” 

Community News, Politics

Sun power for Wythenshawe Forum in bid to cut emissions
Wythenshawe Forum

Wythenshawe Forum is now powered by solar electricity, with the installation of a new photovoltaic array on the building’s roof completed.  

New carbon-saving features for the popular community hub are set to reduce emissions by 121 tonnes per year, while also saving more than £50,000 in energy costs annually.  

To complement the solar array, 1,386 of the Forum’s light fittings are being upgraded to LED, reducing their energy consumption by 70 per cent, with a new and more efficient lighting control system also installed.

The upgrade is part of a £25m project by Manchester City Council to reduce carbon emissions across the City, which is seeing retrofitting work carried out across its buildings working towards achieving its zero-carbon goal by 2038 at the latest.  

The £10m first phase of the council’s programme, to retrofit its highest emission buildings, is drawing to a close and will achieve an emissions cut of 1,600 tonnes a year.  New solar installations are underway at Moss Side Leisure Centre, Hough End Leisure Centre, East Manchester Leisure Centre, Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre, the Manchester Tennis & Football Centre, Belle Vue Leisure Centre, the Space Project and the Sharp Project.  

Work to enable a £15m second phase of the programme, which will reduce emissions by a further 3,000 tonnes a year, is now progressing.  

Since 2009/10, the Council has already reduced its annual direct carbon emissions by more than 50 per cent.  In March 2020, it agreed a landmark Climate Change Action Plan 2020-25, setting out an ambitious target to halve its emissions again in the space of just five years – from around 32,000 tonnes a year to around 16,000 tonnes a year.  
 
Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport, Councillor Angeliki Stogia, said: “This project to modernise the energy supply for Wythenshawe Forum is a great example of the work which is happening right across the city to cut carbon emissions from the Council’s buildings as quickly as possible. 

“Wythenshawe Forum’s solar power installation will help to reduce the Council’s direct carbon emissions, as part of our radical proposals to rebuild a greener Manchester in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Having declared a climate emergency, we’re committed to doing everything within our power to rapidly reduce the Council’s carbon emissions, in line with science-based targets which comply with the Paris Agreement.”

Eddie Flanagan, chief executive of Wythenshawe Forum Trust said: “As one of Manchester’s largest public buildings and a busy community hub, it’s essential that we support and contribute to the city’s carbon reduction targets. This has been a complex project, affecting almost all of the Forum and has needed buy-in from all of our stakeholders. We are looking forward to the new equipment and technology coming online this year, which will bring significant reductions in carbon emissions and energy costs.”

Community News, News

Hindu festival-goers raise £1,000 for Diabetes research

Manchester Navratri Festival- Wythenshawe Forum 2018Diabetes UK has been presented with £1,000 at Wythenshawe Forum after the cash was raised through donations at an annual event celebrating the Hindu festival of Navratri.

Navratri is a nine night Hindu festival which is celebrated every autumn. Navratri Festival Manchester organise an annual celebration during Navratri bringing together communities from across Greater Manchester.

Pravin Arjan, 49, a trustee for Manchester said: “The festival team have worked really hard this year to organise the Navratri Festival celebrations and in doing so have raised funds for this important cause. Diabetes is highly prevalent in the Hindu community and so we wanted to support the work of Diabetes UK to raise awareness of the condition in our community.”

There are an estimated 4.6 million people living with diabetes in the UK. People from a South Asian background are two to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including blindness, lower limb amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

Priya Narsai-Punam, Diabetes UK Development Officer said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Navratri Festival Manchester for donating such a huge amount to Diabetes UK. The money raised will help our vital work supporting people both at risk of diabetes and those living with the condition so that we can create a world where diabetes can do no harm.”