Stockport Independent Issue 194

SEPTEMBER 2025 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2025. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR : Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT: JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 / 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING: Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US Go Truck Logistics Ltd of Park House, 200 Drake Street, Rochdale, United Kingdom, OL16 1PJ is applying for a licence to use Stockport Road, Cheadle Heath, Stockport, SK3 0PL as an operating centre for 2 goods vehicles and 2 trailers Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centres who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-guide-to- making-representations-objections-and-complaints- goods-vehicle-operator-licensing GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE The regeneration gain! ● Continued from page one “We’re proud of the work the MDC has done with partners to turn underused brownfield land into a thriving, mul- ti-purpose neighbourhood – delivering new homes, green spaces, jobs, shops and bet- ter transport. “This is about making Stockport more connected, more vibrant and more sus- tainable, while staying true to our One Stockport, One Future vision.” Joe Stockton, development director at ECF, said: “This is an exciting time for Stockport, as we gear up to kick off one of the largest town centre regen- eration projects in the UK. “We want to stay true to our word by making sure this remains a place for everyone, with homes to suit all ages and circumstances, and a place that celebrates the area’s strong community spirit and rich heritage. “People will start to see changes taking place quite quickly now as we get started on phase one”. Cather ine Chi lvers, Stockport MDC managing director, added: “We’re not adopting a one-size-fits-all approach at Stockport 8 LLP, but instead, we are investing in high-quality and energy- efficient housing that offers so much more for people at all stages of life. “The development sets the bar high for town centre living, creating a consid- ered neighbourhood for resi- dents along with leisure and employment opportunities, while outdoor squares, with a multitude of uses, will allow people to feel connected and enable families to grow.” PLANS for new tram and tram-train connec- tions across Greater Manchester – including extending the Metrolink to Stockport – have been boosted by a £6mil- lion-cash injection, Transport leaders have confirmed a pipeline of ‘rapid transit’ schemes for the future, with funding signed off by the Bee Net- work Committee and the plans discussed by the Greater Manchester Com- bined Authority. Launched as part of the Greater Manchester Strategy in July, mayor Andy Burn- ham and local council lead- ers pledged that 90 per cent of people in the city-region would be within a five-min- ute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 min- utes by 2030. The work is all part of a plan to link every borough in Greater Manchester to A NEW Leaving Care Hub that has opened its doors in Stockport has been shaped by young people. The hub will improve sup- port and opportunities for those transitioning from care to independent adulthood. It is part of a wider com- mitment by Stockport Coun- cil to improving support and opportunities for those transi- tioning from care to independ- ent adulthood. A council spokesperson said: “The hub has been developed in collaboration with the Care Leavers Forum, whose insight was instrumental in mak- ing the space feel familiar, empowering, and meaningful. “Every element has been designed to ensure young people feel safe, respected, and supported. Co-produced guidelines also help to make sure the space is inclusive and youth-led.” At the official launch event, guests were given a guided tour of the space led by care leavers involved in the pro- ject’s design. They also learned more about available services and drop-in sessions, and had the chance to meet the Leav- ing Care Team and part- ner organisations. Stockport councillor Wendy Meikle, who cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, said: “It was fantastic to offi- cially open the new Leaving Care Hub. “This space truly reflects the needs and voices of our young care leavers – a calm, New hub is filled with care Opening: Councillor Wendy Meikle cuts the ribbon (Photo credit: Stockport Council) welcoming place where they can feel comfortable, supported, and treated as individuals.” Facilities available at the hub include a relaxed Wel- come Area which is available Monday to Friday, staffed by a Duty Leaving Care Worker and Duty Manager who can offer immediate support and guidance. The welcoming environ- ment features comfortable seating, a pool table, sensory toys, and information on local resources and opportunities. Additionally, the build- ing includes four specially designed rooms that support relaxation, meetings, one-to- one support, and therapeutic services tailored to the needs of care leavers. MARPLE Marina near Stockport is one of three on canals in the North West bought by the UK’s largest residential and leisure moor- ing provider. Aquavista described the deals, which also included Furness Vale Marina in High Peak, as“strategic acquisitions. The company now pro- vides 32 marinas and more than 5,300 marina berths UK-wide, at both inland and coastal locations. Chief executive Steve de Polo said: “These marinas complement our current 29 location footprint and we look forward to working with the moorersinthesenewlocations to invest in products and ser- vices that will further enhance theirmooring experience.” Sold: Furness Vale marina Canal marina is sold Metrolink extension planning is on track Right lines: The case for the Metrolink to Stockport is being drawn up the Metrolink network, with a long-term plan for major expansion of the Bee Network. The £6m funding will pay for advancing planning work on projects, including final- ising the ‘Strategic Outline Case’ for extending Metrolink to Stockport from East Dids- bury this autumn, with con- struction beginning in 2030. The case will also explore the potential for tram-train connections to Hazel Grove, Tameside via Denton and Red- dish, andManchester Airport. Work will also start this year on the case for completion of the Metrolink Airport Line ‘Western Leg’, which would serve a number of key growth areas at Manchester Airport, Wythenshawe Hospital and Davenport Green. That work will also explore the potential for tram-train connections to Stockport, The report to the local lead- ers also included plans to buy ‘next generation’ trams to com- plement the existing fleet. These would be dou- ble-length and fully ‘walk- through’, offering extra capacity to meet increasing demand for Bee Network trams – underpinning future economic and popula- tion growth. Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Every part of our city region needs to feel the benefits of Greater Manchester’s growth. “To make sure that hap- pens, we’ve pledged to connect our people and communities to new opportunities bet- ter than ever before. We’re planning to connect all ten boroughs to the ever-popular Metrolink network as part of a long-term, sustained expan- sion of the Bee Network. “This latest funding means we can develop the case for a pipeline of both tram and tram-train new lines and extensions – and ultimately underground infrastructure in the city centre – to make sure we get a public transport system befitting the global city region we are.” Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, added: “Better transport is a core enabler of economic growth, higher pro- ductivity and greater access to homes, jobs and wider opportunity across the whole of Greater Manchester. “This new development work will help ensure that we have a pipeline of projects to build on everything that is already being done across bus, tram, rail and walking, wheel- ing and cycling as we create an integrated Bee Network for the people and businesses of this fast-growing city-region.”