Bretonia badgering DSE and Ageira to rustle up a Manchester->Newcastle gate on the double so they can make use of Scarborough and Newcastle as a whole. Alternatively, DSE and/or Ageira poking Bretonia to cut a lucrative contract deal for a new gate. Can just hook up to the locked Leeds gate in Newcastle and have it route to Manchester instead.
Then we could have a nice little "ship the gate parts" trade event for a few weeks and get a bunch of trader activity through Manchester and nearby systems, which should add some nuance to the usual military conflict there. Could even go so far as to make the event time-dependent. If the trade run isn't completed within a certain window, move Gallic forces into a more advantageous position in New London. If the event is finished on time or early, Bretonia and Liberty forces get a more advantageous position in New London.
Xoria might take issue with this as a permanent change, given the difference in pathfinding for trade routes through that area, but as a temporary measure it might be worth the bother.
A way a lone a last a loved a long the riverrun, past Eve and Adam's, from swerve of shore to bend of bay,
brings us by a commodius vicus of recirculation back to Howth Castle and Environs.