Council, including 12 multi-storey blocks. The area, once recognised as being amongst the most deprived in the UK, has benefited from the substantial urban regeneration scheme for east Manchester initiated in the late 1990s. Miles Platting railway station lay at the junction of the lines from Manchester Victoria to Oldham and Stalybridge, but this closed in 1995, and the station was subsequently demolished. The railway line, which remains open for passenger traffic, separates Miles Platting from Collyhurst and Monsall. Between 1839 and 1844, the area was also the location of Oldham Road railway station, the original terminus for the Manchester and Leeds Railway until the line was extended to Manchester Victoria station in the latter year. The station was then converted to become a major railway goods depot by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, remaining in use until the 1960s. Governance Miles Platting was incorporated into the City of Manchester in 1838. Geography Landmarks A prominent building of Miles Platting is Victoria Mill, a huge former cotton mill that looms over the district and now houses offices and apartments. Its restoration was directed by Fr Dominic Kirkham of Corpus Christi. Religion Historically, much of the population of Miles Platting was of Irish Catholic or Italian descent, as evidenced by the large Corpus Christi Priory on Varley Street. The basilica has been served since 1889 by the Norbertine (Premonstratensian) Order, becoming an independent canonry of the order in 2004. Due to falling numbers and mounting repair and maintenance costs the basilica is now closed; the final Mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Salford on 27 April 2007. The basilica has been converted into the Usmania Banqueting Hall. From 1880 until the slum clearances of the 1970s there was a Salvation Army corps in Cash Street. Miles Platting is in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford, and the Anglican Diocese of Manchester. Miles Platting does also have a very small Muslim minority. Transport The majority of bus routes are operated by Stagecoach Manchester. Buses from the city centre include 74, 76, 76A. Little Gem and Stagecoach also offers the 217 service from Piccadilly Gardens to Ashton via Clayton. References Areas of Manchester