Manchester 250: 20 June 2007

THE CAMPAIGN to persuade Greater Mancunians to embrace congestion charges has been stepped up. AGMA (The Association of Greater Manchester Councils) are emphasising that there will be no charge before transport systems, such as Metrolink, rail and bus, are significantly improved. Neither will there be any charges at weekends, nor on weekdays before 7am, between 9.30am and 4pm, after 6.30pm and throughout the evening. Public consultation about the £3bn proposals will close at the end of July.

BULLYING within the fire brigade is under investigation after an officer’s locker was bricked up at Farnworth station in Bolton. The alleged bullying of the senior firefighter is said to be one of a series of horse play pranks in which the firefighter in question has been the victim. The locker was allegedly broken into and sealed with bricks and cement.

CARJACKING of lone women drivers, is on the increase in Greater Manchester following two attacks within 48 hours of each other. A pregnant woman was attacked on Cleveland Road, Heaton Moor, and another woman was attacked after parking in Highfield Street, Dukinfield.

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON is rumoured to be on the verge of accepting the Manchester City manager's job following a second interview yesterday. The former England boss is reportedly set to become the new manager if Thaksin Shinawatra's £120m takeover goes through. However, Erikssson's agent, Athole, still claims that talks of the proposal are “total rubbish”. If reports are true, he could become the manager by the end of the week.