Latest news with #ElsieBlundell
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Town with three year struggle for mobile phone signal
Residents who have struggled to get a good mobile phone signal in their town for three years have now learnt the issue was caused by vandalism of its local residents in Middleton, Greater Manchester, had assumed the lack of signal was "because it's a hilly area", according to local phone shop owner Ali Salam."If you ask 10 people about this, nine will be complaining," he the scale of complaints by businesses and residents, local MP Elsie Blundell said she spent "several months" investigating the problem, adding that she found: "Vandalism by a small group of people had left an entire town at risk of being disconnected and losing mobile signal." The damage had sabotaged the mast at the top of the Warwick Mill premises in the town centre, reducing coverage in the Blundell said: "Obviously, I'm angry that some heartless vandals could do that to our town."More importantly, though, we needed to find a replacement soon to get the town working again." Ms Blundell said she had been "chasing the mobile companies for several months" before she met mobile infrastructure firm Cornerstone this April to "understand the problems that had been occurring with their mast on top of the mill".A Cornerstone spokesperson said: "We had a constructive conversation about developments currently being assessed by the local planning authority."Our priority is to work collaboratively and transparently with the local planning authority to meet connectivity needs in a way that respects the local environment and community."Some residents said they noticed the decline in coverage about three years ago, with one saying: "My boss lives in the middle of nowhere and gets a better signal than here." Ashley Wakefield , who lives in the town centre, added: "I'm a foster carer, so it's a real problem for me."There have been times I've had to go into the shopping centre to use the wi-fi to get my bus pass to work. It's super inconvenient."Peter Winkler said his printing business "had to set up a guest wi-fi network because the signal is so bad"."Prior to that we'd have to suggest leaving the shop to get a signal, which seems counter-intuitive." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Woman killed and baby injured after driver suffers 'mental health episode' at the wheel
A woman was killed and three others injured when a car hit them in two separate incidents in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, at the weekend, as police have provided an update A woman was killed and three other people, including a baby, were injured after a driver suffered a 'mental health episode', according to police. Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of two collisions around 2:30pm on Saturday afternoon, when a black BMW 'mounted the pavement' and hit four people. At the first collision three people, including an infant, suffered minor injuries but at the second a woman was severely hurt and airlifted to hospital, where she later died. Police earlier confirmed a 49-year-old man was arrested and is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. In an update to MP Elsie Blundell, Chief Inspector Ian Partington said the man suffered a mental health episode. He added: 'On Saturday, a white male in a black BMW mounted the pavement at Woodgate Avenue and collided at two separate points along the road with a female pedestrian and a 22 month old baby in a pram. 'The driver did not remain at the scene and continued to drive down to Whitworth Road - where he again mounted the pavement and collided with an adult female and then continued to drive, stopping at the nearby lights. 'The male was then detained, and the police arrested him for attempted murder and a section 18 assault. The adult female and 22 month old sustained minor injuries and were kept in hospital overnight for treatment and observations. The adult female from Whitworth Road has tragically died in hospital. 'The police can confirm the male driver was suffering from a mental health episode and this incident is due to a deterioration in his mental health. It is not terrorism related.' Police said the investigation following Saturday's collision was being led by the Major Incident Team and was not being treated as terrorism related. Assistant Chief Constable John Webster added: 'Our thoughts are with the family of the victim who has sadly lost their life in this tragic case. The actions of a single person have caused significant damage to the people of Rochdale. 'I also want to reassure the public that ongoing efforts are being taken to ensure the safety of people in Rochdale and our Major Incident Team are conducting several lines of enquiry. The lone offender has been arrested on suspicion of murder and it is being treated as an isolated incident, with both scenes now closed and roads reopened. 'This incident caused significant disruption yesterday and I thank the public for their cooperation and understanding while our officers conducted their enquiries. 'We are committed to this investigation and have significant resources dedicated to it. 'To all those people affected by yesterday's tragic events, community solidarity and unity is vital in times like these and especially for the families and friends of those impacted by this incident.'
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Driver 'suffering mental health episode' killed woman and injured mother and child in pram after 'deliberately' ploughing into pedestrians
A woman has died and a mother and her baby were left injured after a driver allegedly suffering a mental health episode 'deliberately' mounted pavements and struck pedestrians in two separate incidents. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed a 49-year-old man was arrested after a black BMW was driven into people at two locations on Saturday afternoon. He is being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and a section 18 assault. Officers say the attack was not terror-related. Emergency services were first called to Woodgate Avenue, near its junction with Bury Road, at around 2:30pm, after three people – including a 22-month-old girl in a pram – were hit by a car. The man behind the wheel did not stop and continued driving. A couple told how they came to the aid of the woman who was injured in the first collision, after hearing her screams as she was struck by the BMW. 'It happened right outside our house,' the man said. 'It seems the car was deliberately driven at the woman. She was shouting, 'He did it on purpose' and 'He's trying to kill me'. She was really scared and in shock.' He described how the BMW was then driven off along Bury Road before it struck a woman and a baby in a pram. 'I saw the pram get thrown into the air,' he said. 'The woman then came running down the road with her baby in her arms.' He said the first woman was so 'terrified' of being hit by the BMW again he had to move her away from the road before the car was driven from the scene. Elsie Blundell, MP for Heywood & Middleton North, shared an update from GMP after speaking with Chief Inspector Partington: 'On Saturday, a white male in a black BMW mounted the pavement at Woodgate Avenue and collided at two separate points along the road with a female pedestrian and a 22-month-old baby in a pram,' she said. 'The driver did not remain at the scene and continued to drive down to Whitworth Road – where he again mounted the pavement and collided with an adult female and then continued to drive, stopping at the nearby lights. The male was then detained, and the police arrested him for attempted murder and a section 18 assault. 'The adult female and 22-month-old sustained minor injuries and were kept in hospital overnight for treatment and observations. The adult female from Whitworth Road has tragically died in hospital.' Blundell confirmed police believe the man was 'suffering from a mental health episode' and that the incident was 'due to a deterioration in his mental health.' She added: 'It is not terrorism-related.' The mother involved in the first collision took to Facebook to thank those who came to her aid: 'To those who helped me in the hit and run today — I am eternally grateful. I'm still in shock. My daughter is extremely lucky. 'She's had brain scans and thankfully, she's ok. Been very sick all day from concussion but getting there. Very battered and bruised. I can't fathom why someone would do something like this. 'She's been one brave girl. If she hadn't had been strapped in her pram it would have been a lot worse. Thank you again to all who helped.' Assistant Chief Constable John Webster of GMP said: 'Firstly, our thoughts are with the family of the victim who has sadly lost their life in this tragic case. The actions of a single person have caused significant damage to the people of Rochdale. 'I want to take this opportunity to categorically confirm that this terrible incident is in no way related to the pre-planned Counter Terrorism arrests and searches that took place yesterday, part of which resulted in the arrest of a man in Rochdale on Saturday evening. 'We are aware of comments on social media about the driver's identity and ethnicity. The suspect is a white male currently in custody and no further details can be released at this time. 'I also want to reassure the public that ongoing efforts are being taken to ensure the safety of people in Rochdale and our Major Incident Team are conducting several lines of enquiry. The lone offender has been arrested on suspicion of murder and it is being treated as an isolated incident, with both scenes now closed and roads reopened.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The seven names hoping to become Rochdale's newest councillor
The list of candidates in a Rochdale council by-election has been released. The May 1 vote will establish who takes the vacant Balderstone and Kirkholt seat at the town hall. In March, Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell stepped down from her seat after returning from maternity leave. READ MORE: Disabled man 'kicked off' easyJet flight at Manchester Airport after crew heard what he told wife READ MORE: Police launch murder investigation after woman found dead - updates from crime scene Six candidates representing Labour, the Conservatives, the Lib Dems, Workers Reform, three Greens - as well as an independent candidate - are in the running. Leanne Greenwood (Labour) Billy Howarth (Independent) Chariss Laura Peacock (Lib Dem) Laura Pugh (Workers Party) Mudassar Razzaq (Conservatives) Martyn David Savin (Greens) Jordan Tarrant-Short (Reform) The Balderstone and Kirkholt ward is currently represented by councillors Danny Meredith and Philip Massey. Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by midnight on Friday, April 11. Applications can be made online. Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes and amendments or cancellations of proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at Floor 2, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU by 5pm on Monday, April 14. Further information on voting in the by-election can be found on the council website. *** Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council by-election expected in Rochdale after MP's resignation
A by-election will be held in Rochdale following the resignation of a councillor. The Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell has stepped down from her seat on the council representing Balderstone and Kirkholt. The former councillor has been on maternity leave over the last few months. READ MORE: He came within 4.8 seconds of causing 'catastrophe' 1,600ft above Greater Manchester READ MORE: Full list of DWP PIP changes announced including changes to points system Mrs Blundell will continue to serve residents of the borough in her role as Heywood and Middleton North MP, a seat she won at the general election in July last year. It is expected that an election will take place in the coming weeks to decide who will replace the Labour politician. Currently the Balderstone and Kirkholt ward is only represented by councillors Danny Meredith and Philip Massey. The date of the election has not yet been confirmed. The next elected candidate will be in office until May 2027 - when Mrs Blundell's term was originally due to expire. **** Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp.
