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Petition saves the Railway for now

Kirsty Elleray
19/12/2002

SHOPKEEPERS and residents are celebrating after plans to turn the historic Railway Pub into flats were refused.

The decision came after councillors made a site visit to the pub, on the junction of Albert Road and Stockport Road in Levenshulme.

The Levenshulme community objected to plans by Classic Homes Limited property developers to convert the pub into shops and flats and sent in a petition to the council with 340 signatures.

Monica Johnson, who runs Johnson's Quality Meats just yards away from the Railway, co-ordinated a traders' campaign to stop the application.

Mrs Johnson said: "It is a very good result and all the traders are very pleased about this. We would like to thank all the customers who signed our petition, because without them I don't think we would have stood a chance. I just wonder what will happen to the Railway now?"

The application was refused unanimously at Manchester's planning committee and the developers, from Longsight, have not submitted new plans, so the future of the local landmark remains to be seen.

Councillor John Commons raised concerns at the meeting about how the car parking and delivery arrangements will impact on the already dangerous traffic conditions at this junction.

He said: "There is a lot of traffic in the area, frequent buses and cars and it is difficult for people to pass. There is limited parking at the back of the pub, but think what it would be like when people live above the pub.

"It is an accident waiting to happen. I realise there is a degree of usage for the site which is acceptable, but even with the pub being closed it is already quite a dangerous spot. To have people living above would signal a disaster."

Councillor David Hennigan added: "Myself and my colleagues are delighted at the common sense decision.

"The traffic at this busy junction has been a huge problem and any more development would have exacerbated the situation.

"This is another example of the local community working with their elected councillors to achieve the best result for Levenshulme."