Main News

The new cycle lane running through Castleton

Work on extension of controversial cycle lane to start next month

The extension of a controversial cycle lane in Rochdale will begin next month.
The stretch of Manchester Road between Castleton and Rochdale town centre will see a number of junctions upgraded with new crossings and a segregated cycle lane installed.

Date Published 28/02/2025


Ask Citizens Advice: My council tax bill is due soon, and I’m worried I won’t be able to afford to pay it

Citizens Advice Rochdale is a local charity that provides free, independent, impartial, confidential advice to people in Rochdale. Each month, we share advice around a key issue...

Date Published 02/03/2025

Former actress brings her acting academy to Rochdale

Former Shameless actress and contestant on The Apprentice, Sarah Byrne is expanding her drama academy, with new classes starting in Rochdale on Tuesday 4 March.

Date Published 01/03/2025


Life now in the Seven Sisters tower blocks

It’s been an eight year battle. Despite tenants fighting for years to stop their homes being demolished, the threat of the bulldozer still looms.

Date Published 01/03/2025

Planning permission granted for 445 homes in Castleton

More than 400 homes will be built on green space in Castleton – with only one road in and out. The site, off Cowm Top Lane, lies to the south of Cowm Top Business Park, close to...

Date Published 28/02/2025


GMP detain carjacker minutes after committing burglary in Rochdale

Less than 20 minutes after a call was received about a burglary in action, officers on patrol from GMP's Roads Policing Unit found the stolen car nearby being driven by the...

Date Published 28/02/2025

How much council tax will go up in the Rochdale borough for each household

People in the borough of Rochdale will pay more in council tax from April, as a 4.99 percent hike in the household precept has been officially voted through at the latest full...

Date Published 27/02/2025


Rochdale named as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025/26

Rochdale has been awarded the title of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025/26.

Date Published 27/02/2025

More than 110 knives surrendered across borough of Rochdale

Over 110 knives have been deposited in three amnesty bins located at police stations in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale since November 2024.

Date Published 27/02/2025


Parade your support with Pride this June

Pride is returning to the borough of Rochdale on Sunday 22 June, with another parade and celebrations to raise awareness and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities.

Date Published 26/02/2025

Two men arrested after suspected stolen car fails to stop in Rochdale

Two men were arrested on Monday 24 February after failing to stop for officers from GMP's Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit (TVIU)

Date Published 26/02/2025


'Game changing' Northern Gateway development set to take step forward

Plans to take forward Greater Manchester’s biggest proposed employment development, which will generate more than 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1bn economic boost, are set...

Date Published 26/02/2025

Ramadhan Health Fair event at Wardleworth Community Centre

A pre Ramadhan Health Fair was held at Wardleworth Community Centre Rochdale on 12 February to offer health and wellbeing advice and support to the community, in order to reduce...

Date Published 25/02/2025


Autism Co-Production Network to welcome new members from the Autism community

Autistic people living in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, their families and caregivers are being invited to join the Autism Co-Production Network.
A meeting is being held to...

Date Published 25/02/2025

‘Express’ bus service from Norden to Manchester city centre via Heywood is on the cards

An ‘express’ bus service taking commuters directly from Heywood into Manchester city centre could return.
The re-imagined 167 bus would start in Norden, stopping at Bamford,...

Date Published 25/02/2025


Roadworks, temporary road closures and restrictions

Information on current and forthcoming roadworks planned to take place across the borough.

Date Published 24/02/2025

How much Bee Network tickets will cost from 23 March

Bee Network ticket prices have been confirmed as a new ‘tap and go’ payment system will be introduced in a month.

Date Published 24/02/2025


Abandoned shopping centre to be brought back to life as a banqueting hall

An abandoned shopping centre in the centre of Rochdale will become home to a new banqueting hall and events venue after a planning application was approved by Rochdale Council.

Date Published 24/02/2025

Record number of norovirus patients in hospital

Hospitals in the North West have been hit by a storm of norovirus infections recently as the number of beds taken up by patients with the virus across England reached a record...

Date Published 23/02/2025


Toad Lane Concerts: Duncan Reid violin and Jonathan Ellis piano

Once again, these two supremely talented musicians dazzled the audience at St Mary in the Baum with their virtuosic verve.

Date Published 23/02/2025

Mindfulness support for local people living with cancer

A Rochdale woman living with the effects of cancer is encouraging others to try a mindfulness course that’s made a “world of difference”.

Date Published 22/02/2025


Rochdale Sixth Form College hits new high with twelve Oxbridge offers for students

Rochdale Sixth Form College has made history this year, with a record-breaking 12 students receiving offers to study at the University of Oxford and the University of...

Date Published 22/02/2025

Community event to turn Wardle and Littleborough into 'magical outdoor gallery'

The Culture Coop Rochdale and Northern Lands are hosting Rochdale's first-ever Window Wanderland in the Pennine township this week.

Date Published 21/02/2025


Rejection of plan for SEN school being appealed

The rejection of a planning application for a new school for children with special educational needs on Rochdale’s greenbelt is being appealed.

Date Published 21/02/2025

The plan for 445-home estate in Castleton with only one access road

A final decision on a 445-home development in Castleton will be made next week. Developers, GLP Trows LLP and BDW Trading Ltd, want to build ‘high quality family housing’ off Cowm...

Date Published 20/02/2025


Why council tax gets increased every year by local authorities

Councils across the country are set to hike council tax in the coming weeks, to the frustration of many who have to fork out more money.
Rochdale Council is no exception, with a...

Date Published 20/02/2025

Appeal after man arrested on suspicion of multiple harassment incidents in Rochdale

Police arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of harassment yesterday (Wednesday 19 February 2025) after several reports made by women in Rochdale.

Date Published 20/02/2025


Detectives want to speak to two potential witnesses following New Year's Day murder in Rochdale

Greater Manchester Police have released a CCTV image of two potential witnesses to a murder in Rochdale on New Year's Day.

Date Published 19/02/2025

Conservative club could be transformed into banqueting hall and wedding venue

The old Conservative club in Middleton could soon be turned into a bespoke banqueting hall and wedding venue.

Date Published 19/02/2025


Rochdale Sixth Form College ranked as the top performing college in Greater Manchester

Rochdale Sixth Form College has again outperformed all other colleges in Greater Manchester, in the latest figures from the Department of Education.

Date Published 19/02/2025

Roadworks, temporary road closures and restrictions

Information on current and forthcoming roadworks planned to take place across the borough.

Date Published 18/02/2025


Elsie Blundell MP to chair Parliamentary Group for women in the transport sector

Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell has been elected as the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Women in Transport.

Date Published 18/02/2025

Protestors attempt to ‘storm’ Andy Burnham HQ to demand chat with mayor

Protestors attempted to ‘storm’ Andy Burnham’s office on Monday (February 17) to demand an audience with the mayor over child sexual exploitation cases in Greater Manchester.

Date Published 18/02/2025


The estate overrun by cars that may soon be changed for the better

A small housing estate in Rochdale which residents say has been chock-a-block with cars for years could be in-line for change.
The Smallbridge estate, around Armstrong Hurst...

Date Published 17/02/2025

Man jailed for five years and three months after large scale drug dealing during Covid lockdown

A Middleton man has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for his role in an Organised Crime Group (OCG) involved in the large-scale supply of Class A and B...

Date Published 17/02/2025


Whitworth High bowlers in national 10-pin final

Bowlers from Whitworth Community High School have won a place in the national final of the Panathlon Challenge.

Date Published 16/02/2025

Toad Lane Concerts: Johanna Leung

Johanna Leung showed Olympian stamina in a fascinating recital at St Mary's on Wednesday 12 February, with three clarinets for the price of one.

Date Published 16/02/2025


College’s inaugural Apprenticeships Awards celebrate businesses and their rising star apprentices

Rochdale’s rising stars were celebrated in style during Hopwood Hall College’s first ever Apprenticeships Awards.

Date Published 15/02/2025

Deeplish event told “decent endometriosis care will only stem from your openness”

A campaign with its roots in Rochdale encouraged Asian women in Deeplish to talk openly about a medical condition too often shunned as 'normal'.

Date Published 15/02/2025


Keep Britain Tidy’s #litterheroes ambassador Peter Winkler calls on Rochdale borough to join Great British Spring Clean

Rochdale Borough’s #LitterHeroes ambassador, Councillor Peter Winkler is appealing to residents across the borough to pledge to pick one bag of litter - or more - for Keep Britain...

Date Published 14/02/2025

Greater Manchester gets £20m for walking and cycling upgrades

Greater Manchester will get more than £20m to spend on walking and cycling improvements.

Date Published 14/02/2025


Education partnership sparking ambitions in Rochdale students during National Apprenticeship Week

An education initiative from national charity The Talent Foundry, aimed at raising aspirations and developing workplace skills among young people in Rochdale is now in its second...

Date Published 14/02/2025

Bowlee car boot sale and market returns - with later start time

Bowlee Car Boot Sale and Market returns for its biggest ever season next month. 
The extended 2025 season at Bowlee Community Park in Middleton will begin on Sunday 2 March and...

Date Published 13/02/2025


Emergency work needed to address safety issues at Hopwood Hall

Rochdale Council has said that 'emergency work' is set to be carried out at Hopwood Hall in Middleton.

Date Published 13/02/2025

Our guide to what's on in the borough this weekend

Lots to do in and around the borough this weekend: Valentine's Day Michael Bublé Tribute, Valentine's Day Dinner & Entertainment, Wine Tasting in Aid of The Mayor's Charity,...

Date Published 13/02/2025


Art exhibitions to celebrate the UN International Year of Co-operation

The Co-operative Heritage Trust has launched a free programme of art to celebrate
2025 as the UN designated International Year of Co-operation. Exhibitions, created by local...

Date Published 12/02/2025

Controversial cuts to bowling greens and a crematorium scrapped by council

Rochdale Council has scrapped plans for controversial cuts to bowling green maintenance and services at Middleton crematorium. But the proposed £30 bin replacement fee is expected...

Date Published 12/02/2025


Staff and students celebrate successes at Rochdale Training Learner Awards

The team at Rochdale Training has recently celebrated the achievements of their learners at a grand event at Rochdale Town Hall.

Date Published 12/02/2025

Roadworks, temporary road closures and restrictions

Information on current and forthcoming roadworks planned to take place across the borough.

Date Published 11/02/2025


Innovative wastewater management system deployed for Littleborough flood defence works

Phase 1 of the Environment Agency’s Rochdale and Littleborough Flood Risk Management Scheme is underway in Littleborough, using an innovative ‘rain-ready’ system to handle...

Date Published 11/02/2025

Final phase of Rochdale Town Hall redevelopment tabled

Plans for the next phase of Rochdale Town Hall’s redevelopment have been put forward.

Date Published 11/02/2025


Schools in Rochdale borough to become vape free settings

Efforts to reduce the number of young people vaping are being stepped up through a new campaign to help local schools become vape-free.

Date Published 10/02/2025

Historic England ‘disappointed’ by the spat over Hopwood Hall

The ambitious idea to restore Hopwood Hall to its former glory ended in tears for the community – and Historic England are the latest to share their disappointment.
The Grade II*...

Date Published 10/02/2025


Campaigners pushing for community to stop the latest wind farm plan

The largest onshore windfarm in the UK could be built on moorland to the north west of Rochdale – and people aren’t happy about it.
Scout Moor sits between Rochdale, Edenfield,...

Date Published 10/02/2025

Consequences of impending landline switch off revealed in new survey

Rochdale residents are being urged to prepare for the biggest overhaul of the UK’s telephone network in decades, as new research reveals a worrying lack of awareness about the...

Date Published 09/02/2025


Toad Lane Concerts: Rascallity Harp Duo

To hear a solo concert harp live is a rare thing. To hear a pair of them is extraordinary. These two first rate musicians have made several appearances at Toad Lane Concerts since...

Date Published 09/02/2025

Bee Network encourages more people to leave the car at home to walk & cycle

The Bee Network is having a positive impact on the number of people opting to walk short journeys, rather than travel by car. The latest Active Travel Annual Report reveals a...

Date Published 08/02/2025


MP launches World Book Day competition for local pupils

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh has launched a World Book Day competition aimed at Year 5 pupils living or being educated in the Rochdale constituency. The competition encourages children...

Date Published 08/02/2025

Mayor's column: Holocaust Memorial Day is a day to reflect

As this is my first column, I would like to wish everyone a happy New Year and best wishes for 2025 to everyone. It has been a really busy start to the year, with a packed mayoral...

Date Published 08/02/2025


Sports club music festival to go ahead despite neighbours’ fears

A sports club in Rochdale will host another music festival for around 2,000 people this summer, despite neighbours’ noise complaints.
Mayfield Sports Club in Castleton held its...

Date Published 07/02/2025

Police officer from Rochdale sentenced for sexually assaulting colleagues

A detective who sexually assaulted a police officer and staff member has been sentenced today (7 February) to 18 months in prison.
Detective Sergeant Richard Mills, aged 42, was...

Date Published 07/02/2025


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