Longford Labour Councillors

09/11/2026

Update on repeated failure of bins in Longford.

I requested a site meeting today on Lacy Street as Longford ward seems to suffer repeated missed bins. It’s not just on the Meadows Estate it’s pretty widespread. Some of this is due to the geography of the roads (very narrow, small access area) or the estate only has one access point (which if someone parks will prevent access for an entire estate.) Every time I go door knocking in my ward I’m told (sometimes for the first time) that that particular road has poor service. If you don’t tell me, there’s no mechanism for me to know.

I was recently presented with a report which quoted a figure in the very high 98’s of successful weekly collections. That is certainly not the case in my ward so this morning I met with L+Q, officers of the council plus Amey to ask how we might address the ongoing and historic trouble spots in Longford and how we ensure residents are aware of where, when and how to present their bins.

It is not going to be a quick fix but suffice to say Amey have now engaged in what I hope will be a worthwhile dialogue.

I also picked up quite a bit of casework - which I’m onto too.

Many thanks as always.

Sarah

08/11/2026

It’s always an honour to take part in the Stretford Remembrance Service. So many people of all ages and backgrounds turn out to pay their tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure the freedoms we have today.

Remembrance Sunday is when we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

We remember them, their courage and bravery as they fought for our freedoms, and we must ensure we never take those freedoms for granted.

Lest we forget.

06/11/2026

Maritime terminal noise.

Earlier this week, me and my colleagues Cllr George Devlin and Cllr Dave Acton had a meeting with residents and the Environmental Health team from Trafford Council. Thanks to reports from residents there have been some positive signs to address the horrendous noise that keeps half of M32 and M16 awake through the night.

I was there with 3 hats on - local Councillor, local kept awake resident and someone whose day job is in ports and shipping. I know what I’m hearing and I know exactly what other local authorities do and have done to mitigate noise from Ports, terminals and logistics hubs.

The council is now in regular contact with the operators of the Maritime terminal, they have said they are keen to be good neighbours. So collaboratively we are exploring ways to reduce the noise, including an independent acoustic assessment.

Despite social media being full of reports of sleepless residents, fewer than ten formal complaints have been recorded. Which makes it much harder to make the case and to take serious action.

PLEASE REPORT EVERY INCIDENT OF NOISE. EVERY TIME.

You do not have to log onto your laptop in a 3am rage - you can just log it on paper - where you are, who you are, what kind of noise you heard (a reversing truck, a clang as containers are dropped, that weird continuous whirry grinding noise that I cannot quite identify’… and then email that info to the council.

The more people who do this the more likely the terminal are to take

* Report incidents directly to Trafford Council using the link below.
* Record the date and time of each disturbance.
* Be particularly clear about loud bangs that wake you during the night or disturb your sleep.
* Report incidents even if you have done so before. Every report helps build the evidence.

Report noise here:
https://www.trafford.gov.uk/environment/pollution/noise-pollution/commercial-and-industrial-noise

Paper complaint forms are also available, let me know if you want one?

I recognise the importance of the industry and that maritime is an industry of critical infrastructure-that is not a ‘get out’ from being a good neighbour. We all deserve a decent night’s sleep.

Noise problems at the terminal date back decades, and in 1995 British Rail faced a court order following residents’ complaints.
We want a constructive solution, but to get that we need to demonstrate the scale of the problem.

Please report it. Please encourage your neighbours to report it. And please help us spread the word. The more residents who come forward, the stronger our case for action.

(Photo for attention only).

04/11/2026

** Been asked to share this with residents on the Meadows estate**

PLEASE CAN YOU SHARE IN YOUR STREET WHATSAPP GROUPS AND HELP YOUR NEIGHBOURS OUT WHERE POSSIBLE.

‘Due to the ongoing roadworks in the area, including the closure of Newton Street and the temporary two-way traffic system on Lacy Street, residents are currently required to present their bins at the junction with Crossford Street for collection.

Unfortunately, a number of residents are not presenting their bins at the agreed collection point, which means our crews are unable to access and empty them.

As we do not hold direct contact details for the affected residents, I would be grateful if you could share this information with them to help ensure collections take place as scheduled.’

*Pic for attention only *

11/10/2026

Conscious it’s been a while since my last Sunday update. ‘Congress and Conference season’ means I’ve been crazy busy in my day job (thanks to Cllr Jarman for doing a lot of heavy lifting with casework)but after the SNP in Aberdeen at the end of the week that’s it for another year thankfully! It’s been a long old month to put it mildly!

The Labour Party conference was a great few days in Liverpool - lots of positives for the party, lots of hope and good vibes. It was also a great conference for me! I won best stand with the Maritime Pavilion (in my day job) and I was also elected to the National Policy Forum to represent the North West. The policy forum has huge input to the manifesto going into any General election (whenever that comes) and it’s a real honour to have been elected into it.

Decisions on policy are incredibly important - it sets the direction for the party so I was absolutely horrified to see what occurred at the Green party conference when they set out their agenda.

I have as always been pushing on casework as always. The grids at the Edge Lane and Kenwood, Norwood, Hillingdon, Cromwell were dug out last week. I went to check and one seems still bunged so I’ve re-raised that.

I recently set up a small working group relating specifically to the huge investments we are putting in to Longford Park. We meet every other week with officers to ensure everyone knows what is happening and raises any concerns they have directly. This week the park was a hive of activity with families enjoying the park and contractors working away. I cannot wait to see the results of this programme!

We will have leaf clearing starting soon (yes, I’m aware the leaves are almost all still on the trees 🙄) I’ve chased responses on parking consultations, insurance claims, united utilities, recurring missed bins and adult social care.

As always, if you need anything do contact us. Email is best ! [email protected] or [email protected]

06/10/2026

Yesterday I went back to check out the long awaited and long lobbied for works on the subway. To say I was disappointed is an understatement.

The graffiti is still there, there are still weeds growing out of the steps down to the subway and someone has now,rather unhelpfully, re-fly tipped it. The lights have been fixed though - which rather depressingly highlights all the stuff that hasn’t been done. 😩

I have re-raised this, asked officers to meet on site to discuss what needs to be addressed, reported the fly tipping and the left over marathon mess.

01/10/2026

It has taken months (literally) to get this cleaned up and functioning. I’ve not had chance to pop over and see it yet 🙈 but hopefully this has been sorted now to a high standard. With that in mind ‘is there any appetite for a ‘friends of the subway’ to form to keep an eye out / report graffiti / maybe plant a few bulbs in the non-underground bit obvs!?

25/09/2026

The MEN covered the planning meeting from earlier this week.

I would say I was a YIMBY on the whole and support housing almost all the time. I have no objections, for example, to a massive regeneration and build scheme on the Arndale site at the end of my road (other than the dust of course!) People need homes and places to live and I would like my own children to have the opportunity to live somewhere vaguely local as adults should they so wish. The way we live now has changed, not everyone wants a car, not everyone wants a garden - if they are deal breakers ‘don’t move to a flat with no parking space’.

The development of Ryebank raises too many questions for me to green light it and on that basis, whilst being in full support of housing generally - I will continue to support this campaign in every way I can.

Controversial plans could see homes built on the community space

22/09/2026

Tonight I stood up at the Planning Committee and made the case against delegating the decision on Ryebank Fields to Manchester City Council.

I was elected to represent Longford and I’m incredibly proud to be your representative. This means using my voice — and amplifying the voices of residents when I can. Tonight I could, and tonight I was heard.

I’m thankful that colleagues from across the chamber unanimously supported my objection.

Local people deserve to be heard, and decisions about our community should not be passed on to another authority. I understand the officers recommendation but I’m really pleased the committee agreed with me and voted against it.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me, who has been involved in the campaign and who put their trust in me to speak for them tonight.

Thank you to all colleagues of all political shades for listening. We’re not giving up. There might have to be an extra planning committee meeting (and I apologise for that!) but this was really important and I’m so grateful to you all for the support this evening.

Ryebank Fields matters.
Longford residents matter.
And we go on. 🌳

17/09/2026

Ryebank Fields - UPDATE.

Longford residents elected me to represent their interests, to listen to them and, where necessary, to speak up on their behalf. I take that responsibility incredibly seriously.

I recognise the importance of Ryebank Fields and the longstanding interest in it. It is for this reason, in my opinion, I believe the decision on Tuesday should be that we hear this application in Trafford.

Delegating the decision on Ryebank Fields to Manchester City Council, even though this is how we would normally make decisions of this nature, removes my ability to represent my residents on a matter of huge importance to all of us.

I am the locally and democratically elected member for Longford ward in Trafford and I will be speaking *against* the delegation of on Tuesday.