840: Dennis 3 axle bus operated by Magic Bus 12Mar1999

These long, narrow and heavy six-wheeled buses were introduced on the Oxford Road/Wilmslow Road universities route in 1998 by Magic Bus, owned by Stagecoach. What they lack in style and accessibility, they make up for in the number of passengers they can carry. Other distinctive features of these vehicles include a noisy engine, bench-like seats, a suspension like a coal lorry and wall-to-wall fluorescent lighting. But what do you expect for a flat fare from Piccadilly to Fallowfield of 40p? (Other keywords: buses, public transport, Stagecoach)

841: Alkrington Hall and parkland, Middleton 12Mar1999

Residents of the Manchester conurbation are lucky to have so many green areas within easy reach. This wooded and grassy area is only four miles north of the city centre. Beyond the trees is the attractive area of suburban housing, Alkrington Garden Village. Alkrington Hall is still privately owned and not open to the public. It stands at the hill top looking northwards over Middleton and the Irk valley. (Other keywords: parks, stately homes

842: Manchester Post Office and Spring Gardens signs 12Mar1999

"Classic contemporary" might be an apt description for the oval-shaped Royal Mail sign which casts an attractive yellow glow onto the brickwork behind. Less classic is the standard City of Manchester street sign, showing the postal district of M2. Spring Gardens harks back to the time a few hundred yearsa go when there were fields and greenery on this spot (Other keywords: signs, city centre)

843: Construction work Deansgate & Cateaton Street 13Mar1999

One of the oldest parts of Manchester is here undergoing major reconstruction. The ugly 1970's shopping centre is being demolished. Across Cateaton St, Manchester's "Old Town" is being created. Manchester's medieval pubs: The Old Wellington Inn and Sinclair's Oyster House - together known as the Shambles - have been moved from their historic location to a vacant plot between the Corn Exchange (dome and tower visible upper centre) and the Mitre Hotel (behind the white covering), and are still covered by plastic and scaffolding. In the top left is the 1962 CIS building (Other keywords: reconstruction, Deansgate, new city centre

844: Looking along Deansgate Saturday 13 Mar1999

The 300mm Nikon zoom lens magnifies the view, so we appear to be flying down the middle of Deansgate above the traffic. On the left is the front facade of the Barton Arcade, and on the right, Kendals. Further down are three towers, the most distinctive of which is the art deco outline of Northcliffe House, former home of the Daily Mail. At the very end of Deansgate can be seen the railway bridge carrying the Metrolink line above Castlefield. (Other keywords: views, city centre, traffic

845: Palace Hotel tower at night reflected in the Bridgewater Canal Mar1999

The red neon sign is reflected twice in the waters of the Bridgewater Canal, which in the middle of the photo bends to the left and passes under Oxford Road. This sumptuous and grandiose building used to house the Refuge Assurance Company until they moved into new offices near Wilmslow.It's now one of Manchester's top hotels, and is one of my favourite buildings. (Other keywords: water, night, hotels)

846: The Bridgewater Hall entrance Mar1999

The angular shape of the Bridgewater Hall, home to the Halle Orchestra, rises up like the prow of a ship. Reflected in the plate glass of the entrance is the Midland Hotel. (Other keywords: music, concert halls, reconstruction, 20th century)

847: No 1 City Rd office building 14Mar1999

The controversial all-glass office structure on City Road is seen here in bright afternoon sunshine. The round glass tower shaped like a giant cigar container looms above City Rd as it curves round towards the Mancunian Way and Princess Road. (Other keywords: offices, reconstruction, 20th century)

848: Palace Hotel (former Refuge Building) from City Road

The Palace Hotel tower, one of Manchester's most striking and familiar landmarks, rises above Oxford Rd railway station. In the foreground is a mini-jungle of shrubbery planted on the site of the former gasworks at Gaythorn, now the location of a hi-tech building used by BT.

849: Looking through Trafford Rd Bridge into Salford Mar1999

Trafford Rd Bridge was designed as a swing bridge, to allow ships to pass, but since a fixed bridge was built next to it in the mid 1990's, its swinging days ore over! Still, this robust piece of late 19th century engineering continues to give good service, demonstrating the design skills of the engineers of a century ago. Similar bridges lower down the canal can still swing to one side when a ship is passing. (Other keywords: bridges, Salford Quays, docks)