Mersey Basin Campaign | Items with region Manchester

Publication dateJune 2006 MBC095 Behind the Facade Residents have moved into New Islington, Ancoats, the unusual redevelopment of one of Manchester's most rundown estates. The new development is centred around a new canal link and water park and features uniquely designed housing. Mark Hillsdon talks to residents about their new homes and finds out how the New Islington vision became a reality.

Publication dateJune 2006 MBC097 Right to Float Canoeists in the UK can only along paddle legally along 2% of the UK’s waterways. The British Canoe Union (BCU) has been campaigning for years to get increased access to Britain’s rivers and canals but with limited success. Now an 18 mile stretch of the River Mersey between Stockport and Carrington has been opened up to canoeists. Anne Arnold talks to Chris Cleaver, BCU’s voluntary Northwest officer about paddling down the Mersey and the impact he hopes it will have on canoeing in Britain.

Publication dateJune 2006 MBC100 Spotlight - Margaret Fletcher As a 500m stretch of the restored Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal reopens to boats, Source celebrates the life of Margaret Fletcher, the chair of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Restoration Society for nearly 20 years and the driving force behind its restoration.

Publication dateJune 2006 MBC099 Environmental Champion - David Crawshaw Source talks to David Crawshaw, regional catchment estates manager for United Utilities and this year's winner of the prestigious environmental leadership category at the Northwest Business Environment Awards.

Publication dateJune 2006 MBC098 What's It Worth? A new report titled “The Environmental Economy of England’s Northwest” has been published and has estimated that the region’s environment supports 109,000 jobs and is worth around £2.6 billion to its economy. Jason Teasdale talks to members of the Environment Agency and the NWDA about the findings of this report and discusses how both communities and business can benefit from the environment’s economic potential.

Publication dateDecember 2006 MBC102 Environmental Champion - Ailsa Holmes Source talks to Ailsa Holmes of Friends of Platt Fields about the group's recent win at the Unilever Dragonfly Awards. She discusses how the group formed and the range of volunteering activities that the group organises around the park.

Publication dateDecember 2006 MBC106 Spotlight - Kevin Anderson Source talks to Dr Kevin Anderson, Research Director at the Tyndell Centre for Climate Change Research about his current role and his aspiration that the Northwest can lead the way in the fight against climate change.

Publication dateMarch 2007 MBC107 Alien Invasion Japanese knotweed - a plant that can grow through concrete and damage the foundations of houses. Giant hogweed - a plant that has sap that burns the skin and leaves wounds that can be aggravated by light up to six years after the initial contact. This may sound like something out of a science fiction film, but non-native invasive plants are one of the biggest threats to the UK's biodiversity. Ciara Leeming investigates some of the countries most dangerous plants and explores the problems associated with their control and eradication.