Drivers who are caught could be fined up to £105

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(Image: Trafford Council)

A Greater Manchester council is clamping down on drivers who stop in box junctions, threatening to fine them up to £105.

Cameras have been installed at two yellow box junctions in Trafford in a bid to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. A mobile camera van will also monitor red routes within the borough in the hope of catching drivers who stop on the red lines.

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Drivers caught by the box cameras face a fixed penalty notice charge of £70, reduced to £35 if they pay within 21 days.

However, if they don't pay before 28 days have passed, the charge will be increased to £105.

It comes as Trafford council is given new powers from the government to help reduce traffic congestion.

Coun Stephen Adshead, Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services, said: “We’ve all been in the situation where we are just trying to get home to our family and we’ve been delayed by drivers who think the rules don’t apply to them.

“Now we have cameras in place that will fine them and make them think about changing the way they drive.

“As well as improving congestion, the scheme will also improve the air quality and make it easier for people walking, wheeling or cycling.”

According to the Highway Code, drivers must not enter the box of yellow criss-cross lines unless their exit is clear and there is enough space on the other side of the junction to clear the box completely without stopping.

However, drivers may enter the box when they are turning right and waiting for oncoming traffic to pass.

Red routes, where double or single red lines are painted on the side of the road, means stopping to park, load, unload, board or alight is prohibited.

Trafford council has installed box junctions cameras at White City roundabout in Stretford and on the A56 by the slip roads to and from junction seven of the M60.

The White City box junction will be activated on Sunday (March 9), while the slip road box junction is set to be activated in April.

These box junctions were chosen following a traffic survey and consultation with residents and drivers.

Coun Adshead added: “It’s about reducing congestion and reducing journey times.

"That is why we have installed warning signs ahead of the box junctions, and anyone caught by a box junction camera in the first six months will only be sent a letter, rather than a fine. We believe that is fair.”

Greater Manchester leaders have visited Austin, Texas to promote economic and cultural ties between the two regions, setting them on the path to becoming formal sister-cities.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.

This MOU, the Friendship Cities Agreement, marks the first partnership between a UK city-region and Texas since the UK Government signed their landmark Statement of Mutual Cooperation on economic development and trade in March 2024.

Under the agreement, the places will collaborate in key areas including economic development, innovation, science and technology, education, tourism, arts and music, and urban development.

The partnership aims to encourage knowledge sharing, business connections, and cultural exchanges that benefit residents and businesses in both cities.

Austin is the capital city of the state of Texas and, like Manchester, is the fastest growing city in the US. It is known as “The Live Music Capital of the World” due to its rich film, media and music history and venues.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Austin and Manchester have so much in common. We are the fastest-growing cities in the UK and US but we’re also places with a real focus on people, music, culture and everything that makes life great. We don't just adapt to change – we lead it.

“The Friendship Cities Agreement is the beginning of something really exciting. Whether in tech, music, or business, we are ready to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and create opportunities that will benefit businesses and residents on both sides of the Atlantic.”

A series of cultural and business exchange initiatives are planned, starting with musicians and music venues in the first year. Representatives from both cities will have the opportunity to engage in exchange programs, strengthening connections between Greater Manchester and Austin’s live music scenes.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Lead for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth, said: “This agreement is a statement of intent between the fastest-growing cities in the United States and Europe respectively. Our relationship is underpinned not just by our status as cultural trailblazers, but also our shared strengths across the likes of science and tech, and the creative industries.

"Our first Mission to Austin in 2023 gave this significant traction, and now is the right time to formalise our collaboration – accelerating already impressive business and cultural exchange, and nurturing the valued civic connection between Austin and Greater Manchester.”

Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin has declared 7 March ‘Greater Manchester Day’ in Austin and committed to visiting our city-region in June 2026.

Mayor of Austin Kirk Watson said: “This Friendship Cities Agreement with Greater Manchester is more than just a document—it’s a bridge between two innovation-driven, culture-rich cities.

“Austin thrives on creativity, entrepreneurship, and connection, and Greater Manchester mirrors that energy. By joining forces, we are setting the stage for incredible collaborations that will inspire growth and opportunity in both cities.”

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Like many across the country, Nicky's salon is struggling to survive

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(Image: Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News)

Nicky Oliver started his career as a hairdresser at the age of 14.

A 'founding member' of the Northern Quarter, his salon on Oldham Street first opened to the public 37 years ago. "We're the only surviving business in the Northern Quarter that was here all those years ago," he proudly tells the Manchester Evening News.

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But like many hairdressers across the country, Nicky's salon is struggling to survive.

"It's been very gradual over the last 10 years," Nicky explains. "We've been getting squeezed more and more from every angle."

"We are very much at risk of having to change the business model.

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"We could actually shut down. We could close."

As a labour-intensive business, the cost of employing 23 staff and four apprentices already accounts for more than half of his turnover.

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That's set to increase to two-thirds when employers' national insurance contributions go up next month, along with a rise in the minimum wage.

Increases to the apprenticeship wage have also meant that Nicky, who has trained thousands of hairdressers during his 50-year career, cannot afford to train as many youngsters as he used to.

And he is not alone. A report commissioned by the British Hair Consortium predicts that by 2027, there won't be any new hairdressing apprentices if the current trends continue.

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The study by CBI Economics also forecasts that employment in the sector is set to fall by 93 per cent as more hairdressers become self-employed - a move which more and more salons are making so that they can avoid paying VAT by staying below the threshold.

According to Tony Winder, the 'rent-a-chair' model of hairdressing didn't exist when he opened his salon in Rawtensall 56 years ago.

(Image: Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News)

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However, after VAT was introduced in 1973, some hairdressers starting going down the 'disguised employment' route to save money.

"As costs have gone up," he explains, "salon owners say it's too expensive to employ staff, I might as well make them self-employed."

That's not a route that Tony, who is now 78 and retired as of last year, ever went down because 'you lose control of your business'.

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Nicky, 64, agrees. "You can't control your staff, the hours they work," he says. "You could end up with no one in."

"We've been trading for 37 years. We can't sack all our staff and make them self employed.

"For businesses who actually care about staff and training, it just doesn't work."

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Nevertheless, according to the CBI Economics report, 63 per cent of salon workers are currently self-employed - and this is forecast to rise to 88 per cent by 2030 if last year's budget announcements, including the national insurance increases, are taken into account.

The British Hair Consortium is now calling for the government to introduce a 'split-rate' model of VAT with a reduced 10 per cent rate for labour-based services, like hairdressing, while lowering the threshold at which businesses are required to register and pay the tax.

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The industry body argues that this would bring more hairdressers into the VAT regime and help the government collect more in tax.

Nicky is now having to increase his prices incrementally - but he says even a 25 per cent hike would not be enough to turn a profit.

He is hoping that the government will do something. However, as a lifelong Labour supporter, he is feeling disillusioned.

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The small business owner has accused the party of failing to take 'meaningful action' to support the industry and their workers.

(Image: Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News)

"We understand the country's in a mess," he tells the M.E.N., "but they're destroying the hairdressing industry so hairdressers have to go down the route of disguised employment."

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"I'm ashamed that I've been a Labour Party supporter all my life," he adds. "I'm embarrassed by them."

The Labour Party has been contacted for comment.

An HM Treasury spokesperson said: “We delivered a once-in-a-Parliament budget to wipe the slate clean, now we are focused on going further and faster to kickstart economic growth.

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"We’re also levelling the playing field for high street businesses, including hairdressers, by permanently cutting business rates and removing the £110,000 cap for over 280,000 retail, hospitality and leisure business properties, while also capping corporation tax for the duration of parliament.”

Salon owners and employers are planning a day of action in central London on March 17 where they will call for reforms to VAT.

Both were given planning permission this week

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Updated 17:47, 07 Mar 2025

(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)

One Greater Manchester town is set to get new drive-thru stores from both Greggs and Starbucks - in the same supermarket car park.

The two popular chains will open new units within the Tesco car park on Featherstall Road North in Chadderton after planning applications were approved by Oldham Council this week (Wednesday, March 5).

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Originally submitted last November, the documents highlighted that the two venues will be situated opposite one another within an ‘underutilised’ area of the car park site.

The two stores would be similarly sized with the Starbucks being slightly larger with a total floor area of 171 square meters, compared to Greggs’ 167 sqm. The units will have their own car and cycle parking spaces - with 41 spaces available between them both.

It has also been proposed that the arrival of the two stores will lead to ‘additional job opportunities’ in Oldham - both during the construction phase and when they open.

A Planning Statement filed by ELG Planning stated: “The proposed drive thru’ units will generate a number of opportunities across a range of roles with flexible shift patterns offered, with both operators offering training and career development opportunities, as well as a number of employee benefits.

“The proposals will therefore provide flexible and high-quality job opportunities for local people and would fully align with established local and national policy objectives aimed at supporting economic growth.”

Drive-thru’s have been a relatively recent addition to the Greggs’ empire, with its first such location opening in Irlam in Salford back in 2017. At the time, bosses said they had caved into public pressure following demand for a drive-thru and were trialling the concept ahead of a potential nationwide roll-out.

Last year, it was reported that the chain had more than 15 drive-thru’s across the country, including a controversial location in Stockport which was constructed over the site of a former beloved pub.

Starbucks, meanwhile, have owned drive-thru’s since opening its first dedicated location in Cardiff back in 2008. In 2023, the coffee chain said there were more than 800 towns and cities across the country with a drive-thru Starbucks.

No objections were received with regards to the application for both sites, and planning approval has been granted with construction required to begin within three years in accordance with relevant laws. Conditions relating to risk assessments must also be met.

Locals have been warned the 12-month closure of the Greek Street roundabout will cause huge disruption

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Bosses have revealed more details about a complex £20m project to demolish and replace a rail bridge containing a landmark roundabout in Stockport.

The Greek Street bridge carries traffic over the West Coast mainline - the busiest mixed-use line in Europe - next to Stockport station and is a key traffic route between Edgeley, Shaw Heath and the town centre.

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But the bridge, also known as The Armoury roundabout, was built in 1958 and the 67-year-old structure has 'reached the end of its life, said managers Network Rail. They are spending almost £20m dismantling, removing and replacing it.

The project begins on March 31. The roundabout and several roads leading to it are to be closed for a year. Locals have been warned it will cause '12 months of chaos and carnage' for motorists.

Ahead of the closure, Network Rail set out exactly how the project will work. They have also published a video containing a series of CGI images of how it will work.

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You can watch the video here...

A scaffolding bridge was constructed over Christmas to divert utilities from the bridge. When the road is closed, preparations will begin for the bridge's removal.

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The entire railway line through Stockport will be closed for 21 days, from Saturday, August 2 to Saturday, August 23. During that time, the bridge - which is 58 metres wide and made up of 200 concrete beams - will be demolished and replaced.

The video details that overhead power lines will be removed and protective matting laid over the tracks to 'protect it from falling debris.'

(Image: Copyright Unknown)

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Large cranes will remove the bridge beams, which will then be loaded onto lorries for removal. Then the remainder of the bridge will 'dismantled'.

The beams for the new bridge will be taken in by lorry and installed by cranes. The concrete will be poured over the top, which will be topped with tarmac.

A new 'Edgeley Station' mural, similar to the one currently displayed, will be installed in order to 'keep the heritage of the roundabout'.

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Once the bridge is in place, the protective matting will be removed and the overhead lines reinstalled. Then the railway line can be re-opened.

(Image: Network Rail)

Once the railway line has re-opened the road layout will be reinstalled including the roundabout, pavement and surrounding roads will be 'returned to their original condition'.

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The work is being carried out by construction firm Murphy whose compound will be situated on alongside the railway line on the Edgeley side of the station.

The work is expected to be completed by next March. Network Rail say they have 'worked carefully with Stockport council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to establish safe and convenient diversionary routes during the major closure'.

(Image: Network Rail)

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Closures will be in place on Greek Street, King Street West, Mercian Way and Shaw Heath. Ward councillors have warned locals about the significant disruption. One, Asa Caton from the Edgeley Community Association, has said: "It's going to be 12 months of chaos and carnage."

Olivia Boland, Network Rail sponsor, said: "We're replacing the Greek Street bridge in Stockport to keep the railway below and road users above safe for years to come.

"This video is a fantastic way to explain how complex the work to replace the bridge is. It brings to life this the true scale of the work required.

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(Image: Network Rail)

"We are very grateful for the cooperation of the local community during the work. I know that closing the roundabout for a year will disrupt the daily lives of the local community, and I am very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause."

Coun Grace Baynham, cabinet member for parks, highways, and transport services, said: "We know this closure will be disruptive for residents, commuters, and businesses, and we don't underestimate the impact it will have.

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"But this work is essential to keep both the road and railway, which is one of the country's busiest lines, safe and reliable for years to come.

"The video that has been produced shows the huge amount of work to do to replace this vital piece of infrastructure in our town centre.

"We're working closely with Network Rail and TfGM to keep Stockport moving, with diversion routes in place to help ease the impact. We really appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while this vital project is carried out."