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Manchester bids to block Reds' stadium

14/ 4/2005

A SECRET war is being waged by Manchester City Council to shatter the Reds' plans to build a new super-stadium in Salford.

Club officials say the city council has sent representatives to Whitehall to bend the ears of MPs and decision-makers in a bid to encourage the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to step in and quash the ambitious stadium dream.

That's why this newspaper is backing the club's 'Ave it! campaign in an attempt to rally supporters behind the cause.

Manchester has launched the campaign against the £35m stadium - which would bring more than a thousand new jobs to Salford - simply to protect their city centre.

The Advertiser has learned Peter Babb, Manchester's head of planning, has written directly to Salford's chief planning officer Chris Findley, detailing the city's concern about plans to open a small retail park on the stadium site which could fit into the Arndale Centre six times over.

The cash-strapped Reds say they are depending on the revenue generated by these shops to help ensure their survival.

But with Manchester's powerbrokers threatening to torpedo their plans and leave the club's future in tatters, we say it's time for all of Salford to fight back and support the Reds and their bid to keep professional Rugby League alive in our city.

• Save Our Stadium - don't miss our three page feature in this week's Advertiser.