Stockport Independent Issue 133

OFFERTON • THE HEATONS • EDGELEY • DENTON BREDBURY • CHEADLE HEATH • HAZEL GROVE • CHEADLE HULME • HEAVILEY • MARPLE • REDDISH • ROMILEY • WOODLEY • HIGH LANE Independent FREE STOCKPORT www.independentnewspapers.co.uk FREE YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEWS-PAPER ISSUE 133 Lion roars again A RAFT of proposals for the A34, including a plan to create a desig- nated cycleway along the length of the road in Stockport, have been given a major boost. The government has awarded the council a grant to help to develop a business case for the project. The A34 Cheadle Improvement Plan Phase 1 scheme has been given the green light to progress to the next stage of development under the Trans- port for the North-led £700m National Roads Fund programme. And the Department of Trans- port will now make a contribution of £320,000 to the council towards the costs of developing an outline business case for the project. The A34 corridor in Stockport, from the junction with the M60 to the A555, has been identified as a key bottleneck. The proposed plan will increase capac- ity at key locations to unlock growth potential and will improve sustainable access. Scheme proposals include: • A5.6kmcycle route along theA34 cor- ridor including a segregated cycle track and controlled crossingswith connec- tions to thewider GreaterManchester Cycle Bee network • Highwayworks to support the Stanley Green Industrial area by improving a key access junction • Highwaywork to support Cheadle Royal Business Parkby reducing congestion on the roundabout and improving cycle, foot andbus access • Replacement of an existing subway at Kingsway School to ensureDDA compli- ance and to allowcycling • CCTVandVMS enhancement David Meller, council cabinet mem- ber for economy and regeneration, said: “The A34 is an incredibly important road for Cheadle, Stockport and its residents as a whole. “It’s great news that the proposal has been awarded funding to create Moving in right direction! A34 plan gets government cash boost A HISTORIC Stockport pub which stood derelict for more than a decade has been given a new lease of life thanks to a £2.4million investment. TheWhite Lion on Great Underbank has been transformed into luxury apartments. • Full story page three WIN WIN A PAIR OF SHOES UP TO THE VALUE OF £60 SEE PAGE 7 FIVE Stockport neighbour- hoods have been honoured at an awards ceremony hosted by Greater Manches- ter mayor Andy Burnham as part of the Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods Challenge. Brinnington, Cheadle, The Heatons, Marple and Reddish were all recognised as being “age-friendly”. That means they are defined as places where people are commit- ted to looking out for each other, older people feel they can have STOCKPORT County rolled out the red carpet for a very special fan after he travelled almost 6,000 miles to watch his favourite club. Akito Aoiki, from Japan, was the club’s special guest when they played Bromley, presenting the match ball to the ref and conducting the half-time draw. Aoiki became a County fan after findingout about the clubwhileplaying the video game Fifa. He told BBC Radio Manchester: “I have supported them for about eight to nine years but this is my first time at Edgeley Park. It has been fun.” • More Stockport County news on the back page SHOPPERS at Stock- port’s Merseyway have raised more than £1,600 for local charity Inde- pendent Options. The Hazel Grove charity offers personalised support services and inclusive play opportunities for children with learning disabilities and additional needs. Jill Maunder, from the charity, pictured left, paid a visit to Merseyway to accept the cash from centre man- ager Victoria Nichol. The money was raised over the festive season through a variety of events. Jill said: “The money raised will make such a difference and help us to continue running the play sessions for the children and families who access our service.” Aoiki is mad about the Hatters! a business case to make this project a reality. I’m pleased the government has recognised the potential around the scheme and are supporting the council’s work on this. “We believe this new scheme, which includes enhancing and improving the borough’s cycling and walking links, will help to encourage active travel and ensure journey times are improved.” Peter Molyneux, major roads direc- tor at Transport for the North, added: “Enhancing the A34 will have a sig- nificant improvement on journey times and capacity, benefiting people and goods moving around Stockport and further afield. “The clear focus on active travel pro- vision is of particular importance and will help to create a sustainable road network that is fit for future needs.” • Buzzing to get Bee Network moving: Page 27 AGE IS NO BARRIER Shoppers dig deep a say in what’s going on in the area and there are spaces where people can get together. There are now 53 neighbour- hoods across GreaterManchester recognised as being age-friendly or making progress towards that recognition. Dr James Higgins, a GP at Brinnington Health Centre, said: “Stockport has an older than average population so it’s really important that wemake it an age friendly place to live in. “We’re proud that the hard work our community and patients have put in to improve the lives of older people in Brinnington has been recognised with this award. “It is also great to see that, by working together with local char- ities and an army of wonderful volunteers, we can really help a community for the better.”