Comments for eyeonmanchester.com by Aidan O'Rourke

Comment on MEN reports Network Rail’s proposals for Manchester stations by johnWoj

johnWoj — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:48:37 +0000

Revitalise Victoria Station – I’ll believe it only when I see it! They’ve been running the station down for decades, why change it now? Is it cause they can’t sell it off for redevelopment – or is it a simple excuse to sell of most of the station of for redevelopment and then revitalise what’s left?

If the current situation is anything of a marker for redevelopment then listen to this: recently I went to meet my 10 year old son off the train from Leeds to Victoria. As they often change the departure platforms around at Victoria, I always look at the arrival signs to check which platform he would be arriving at (not I was on the last minute so didn’t have time to mess around). So where had the arrival boards gone?? I asked the security guards who now check tickets but know nothing about trains (their only interest in life is purely catching ticketless passengers!). So of course, there were no other station staff around to ask. The manager’s office was closed as usual, and you can’t get past the barrier guards without a ticket!! So how do you meet a young boy off his train or a little frail ole lady getting of the train, I ask myself. Customer service at Victoria is mostly non existent (a bit like the seats that have all been taken away). The station is the pits! I really do hope they do something about it but if there idea of taking away arrival signs, seats, and station staff is anything to do with improvements, then god help us!!!

Comment on Summertime madness – Why won’t they get the message about swimming? by Aidan O'Rourke

Aidan O'Rourke — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:07:32 +0000

Whilst in Germany, thousands of people swim in lakes without any problem, if they did that here, no doubt many would drown. People, especially young people, just seem to be more sensible there. For instance in Leipzig, there are no railings next to railway lines, even in the city. Youths on the line doesn’t seem to be a problem. So I don’t think swimming in lakes will ever catch on here. It would be nice to have indoor swimming pools with an open-air section, but that doesn’t seem to have occurred to anyone here. I’ll shortly be booking another trip to Germany!

Comment on Summertime madness – Why won’t they get the message about swimming? by Ruth

Ruth — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:42:37 +0000

I’m glad my son hasn’t drowned in a reservoir. Swimming in lakes, rivers etc is dangerous. Apparently there is an open air heated swimming pool in Castleton, Derbyshire, which is probably nearer than Ilkley.

Comment on Local tv and fashion meet at Urbis Manchester by Alicia Prams

Alicia Prams — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:57:36 +0000

I think the Urbis in Manchester is a fantastic building. The little black dress exhibition looks great, its something different that will attract lots of fashionistas! I think it would be great to see behind the scenes in a working tv studio, i have been to the Mailbox in Birmingham, whilch you can see into the ‘Midlands Today’ studio.

Comment on EOM’s ‘secret’ route out of Manchester city centre behind Piccadilly Station by ardwick lad

ardwick lad — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:51:27 +0000

In the 1940′s and 50′s my brother and I together with some friends used to make 4 wheeled carts from pram chassis and ride on them down Jutland Street.Seeing the street recently and remembering that our brakes were not very good ,Iam amazed we survived to grow up!

Comment on Manchester Memories of Deansgate Hulme and Piccadilly Gardens by darren curley

darren curley — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:58:25 +0000

actually, the hope is still going strong.but i know what you mean

Comment on Slump in property prices in Manchester – Was it inevitable? by Sam

Sam — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:50:21 +0000

It’s a funny old business… Having recently moved into a new flat in Ancoats I am suddenly sitting atop (almost literally) of another abandoned building site and it looks like the place isn’t going to lurch into action any time soon.

I second your call for play areas and parks – and actually while the property industry is struggling it’s almost a perfect opportunity to catch suitable bits of cleared land in places like Ancoats and get them turned into parks before anyone comes along to stick a building up. Well, I can dream anyway.

Comment on Manchester pubs under threat by Naomi

Naomi — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:32:01 +0000

I have been trying to find out form the planning department at the council as to whether the pub is to be demolished, for 2 weeks, they have still got no information back to me.

I hope in the next civic society newsletter to print an article about its historical value and get some support to keep the building…..

Comment on The Northern Quarter: Greenwich Village of Manchester? by Hubert

Hubert — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:32:41 +0000

Hi,

Little Peter Street does not lead off from Stephenson Square, it’s in Knott Mill (not in the NQ) off Medlock St.

I think you mean Little Lever Street.

Yes, I do mean Little Lever Street. Thanks for spotting that error which I’ve now corrected!

Comment on Princess Road Manchester’s main southern highway by J Barron

J Barron — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 23:10:37 +0000

Very interesting history, good posts. I would also be intrigued to know more about the re-naming of \\\’Princess Road\\\’ in Northenden, now known as Patterdale Road. When did the name change occur (I have only seen a 1908 map)? And was it because Princess Road was extended to Northenden and therefore couldn\\\’t share names? Do the Road/Highways agencies keep these records?

I think you\\\’re right. Princess Road becomes Princess Parkway south of the Mersey, but it is still within the City of Manchester and so any other Princess Rd would have to be changed, as names cannot be duplicated within one local authority. There are other examples of name changes, such as Junction St > Jutland St, High St > Hathersage Road… I think responsibility for street names lies with the local authority. Historical records can be checked at Manchester Central Library Local Studies Unit. Thanks for your comment