Boardman called the news “the biggest step forward for active travel that I have seen in my lifetime”.

It appears that the damage was caused overnight, with workers in the city’s Northern Quarter finding the racist message on their commute in.

Those more au fait with binary code know the above tells an undeniable truth about the 2020s. It’s a truth that is becoming more evident to more people as every hour of lockdown passes, and one that could influence policy debate across the decade.

A second Northern council has voiced concerns over the quality of food parcels received by the government after Newcastle joined Rochdale in criticising the nutrition levels of the deliveries.

A row has broken out between the government and Rochdale Borough Council after the Greater Manchester authority criticised the quality of government food parcels.

As coronavirus restrictions force people to find more creative ways to entertain themselves – with giant lasagnes, flat bingo, and care home Hungry Hippos all making waves on social media – one major new casualty is the grassroots music industry.

Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a theory that could kick-start improvements in the way robots walk.