News published June 2023
Cover version: Competition winners' work to be a permanent feature underfoot in transformed Albert Square
![Image of five different drain cover winning designs](http://www.manchester.gov.uk/images/OTH_Drain_cover_All_winners_100__1_.jpg)
The winners of a Drain Cover Design competition, for the public realm works in Albert Square as part of the Our Town Hall (OTH) project, have been announced today.
Build it right! Manchester makes case in Parliament for underground NPR (Northern Powerhouse Rail)-HS2 Piccadilly station
Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig will today (Monday 12 June) make the case in Parliament for HS2 and the Government to rethink their plans to ensure the best form of high-speed rail to the city – with a new underground NPR-HS2 station.
Construction underway for pioneering Ancoats Mobility Hub as part of third phase of neighbourhood regeneration
![A digitally created image of the outside of the proposed Ancoats mobility hub](http://www.manchester.gov.uk/images/Cropped_Mobility_Hub_CGI.png)
Work has started on site to build the UK’s first mobility hub, helping Ancoats to become a ‘people first’ neighbourhood that prioritises streets for people over cars and providing sustainable travel.
Bringing up baby! Baby Week is back for 2023 in Manchester
Hot on the baby heels of Manchester's first-ever week devoted to tiny tots last year, Baby Week is back again for 2023 with a packed programme of events for parents, babies, and parents-to-be.
Helpful hound secures prosecution against illicit tobacco trader
![A tobacco detection dog at work.](http://www.manchester.gov.uk/images/Screenshot_2023_06_01_at_11.20.17.png)
The nifty nose of a tobacco detection dog helped the Council discover a haul of illicit tobacco.
Manchester and London leaders join force to call for best form of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail - including an underground HS2-NPR station at Piccadilly
Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig, Mayor of GM Mayor Andy Burnham, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Camden Council Leader Cllr Georgia Gould have issued a letter to Transport Secretary Mark Harper.