Leader's column: 'Making plans for all of our towns'

Tameside Council's Executive Leader, Cllr Brenda Warrington, outlines the authority's proposals to invest in each area of the borough this year.

2020 will be a year of investment for Tameside; in our economy and shared future. The heart of Tameside is our towns, so it’s for that reason that I want to go in-depth on some of the highlights of our big plans for them.

Ashton - Work to redevelop Ashton’s bus station into a modern transport interchange is well underway. When it opens its doors in the summer it will bring a state-of-the-art transport hub into the heart of Ashton, bringing people and business into the borough and connecting up residents to jobs, leisure and learning within Tameside and Greater Manchester. Following the completion of Tameside One, we’re also now in a position to begin much-needed renovation on the historic Ashton Town Hall. The first step will be a survey to establish what needs to be done to make the building fit for purpose while preserving its unique heritage.  

Denton - Due to open in the spring, the Tameside Wellness Centre will be the jewel in the crown of our £20 million investment in our leisure services. Built on brownfield land in the heart of Denton, the Centre will host not just a swimming pool and 10-pin bowling alley, but a learner pool, children’s play zone, spa area and fitness suite with disabled access and dementia-friendly design throughout.

Droylsden - The shopping arcade, which dates bring to the 1970s, is due to be given a facelift. Owners New Era Properties will invest £100,000 to convert two of the units into new retail and restaurant space. 

Hyde - We remain committed to the construction of 2,350 new homes in the Godley Green Garden Village. Thirty per cent of all the homes delivered under the scheme will be designated for affordable tenures. 

In September 2019 we beat 24 other local authorities to win £100,000 to fund the development of a master plan for Hyde Town Centre, building the foundations to seek investment to create a sustainable, accessible and community service-rich centre.

Stalybridge - All eyes in Stalybridge in 2019 were focused on the Mayor’s Town Centre Challenge, and in 2020 we expect some of the proposals that have been created over the past 12 months to come into fruition. A comprehensive review of the town’s public realm will also consider how cycling and walking infrastructure can be harnessed to improve the pedestrian experience. 

Longdendale - Last week our planning committee gave the green light to the construction of 61 new affordable homes on the site of the former Hattersley District Centre and Tameside Court tower block. 

Mossley - Global Grooves, the internationally-renowned company behind our famous Lantern Parades, have started work on their “Northern Carnival Centre of Excellence”.