Uncategorized Archives - Page 59 of 67 - Stockport Liberal Democrats

A6 to Airport relief road a step closer

Stockport Council has been given confirmation it can begin work with Manchester and Cheshire East Councils on the long-planned A6 to Airport relief road.

Construction work is expected to begin soon, with some environmental works before the end of February and the main contract works commencing in March.

The work is expected to be open to traffic by autumn 2017.

Cllr Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council said: “As part of our ‘Investing in Stockport’ initiative we are committed to continually developing Stockport so that it is a great place to live, work and visit for all. Key to this is ensuring that residents and businesses have easy access across the borough and that our transport links develop so that they can meet the demands of modern life.

“We are delighted that the Secretary of State has considered the Public Inquiry Inspector’s report and confirmed the Order, which will allow an early start on the construction of the road scheme to be undertaken.”

The proposed scheme will provide approximately 10km of dual carriageway, linking the A6 at Hazel Grove to the eastern end of the existing A555 at Woodford Road, Bramhall and from the western end of the existing A555 at Wilmslow Road, Handforth to Manchester Airport.

By improving access to south east Manchester and east Cheshire, the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road will benefit communities and the local economy, in particular assisting the potential growth of Manchester Airport and Airport City as well as areas of Stockport, Manchester and Cheshire East.

Stockport LibDems AGM 2014

I am pleased to inform you that that the Stockport Liberal Democrat Annual General Meeting will take place on the 12th of November, 2014 at Stockport Town Hall. The meeting starts promptly at 7.30pm and finishes at approximately 9.00pm. If you require access to the meeting rooms please meet in the Town Hall foyer at 7.25pm.

All party members are very welcome to attend. Please let me know if you can attend

Best regards, J.C. Reid

Grand Central Update

Grand Central Stockport development — Cllr Iain Roberts at the sight of the development

A development agreement has been reached for Stockport’s new ‘Office Quarter’.

Stockport Council and Muse Developments have signed and sealed a Development Agreement, marking an important milestone in the development of a high-specification office quarter, next to the train station in the town centre.

The Council bought the Grand Central site last year to bring forward the office-led development, including hotel and improved car parking, as well as an attractive new gateway to the town centre.

National development and regeneration specialist Muse Developments were appointed by the Council as development partner to deliver the project.

Phase One consists of a new 1,000 space multi-story car park and a range of highway improvements, due to be completed at the beginning of 2014.

The new car park will meet increasing demand for parking next to the railway station and encourage more people to take the train. A temporary parking solution for commuters will be provided during its construction.

Phase Two has been masterplanned for the first commercial office building, new public space, a hotel and highway improvements by 2015.

Phase Three will include further office buildings, extension of the open space and further improved accessibility for pedestrians on a phased basis up to 2020.

Councillor Iain Roberts, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “The signing of the Development Agreement confirms both parties’ commitment to delivering a cutting-edge new office quarter and commuter destination for Stockport. It is a crucial part of our overall vision for the town centre – attracting jobs, investment and footfall. We’ve worked hard to make sure that it’s self-financing and at no extra cost to the Council-tax payer.”

Ann Smith wins Community Champion Award

Ann Smith Community Champion — Congratulations to Ann and all our other community champions!

Ann Smith has been awarded a ‘Community Champion Award’, presented by the local neighbourhood team “in recognition of an invaluable contribution to the community.”

Ann was “enormously grateful” to even be nominated. In all, 22 local champions of the community were recognised for their contribution to the area at the event at St Ambrose Church in Adswood.

Many congratulations to Ann and all our local community champions!

Getting Behind Local Small Businesses

Brooklyn Pottery — Ann throws her weight behind local Shaw Heath businesses

Councillor Ann Smith has welcomed the Council decision that means businesses in Stockport are set to benefit from changes to the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme.

As of this month businesses with a rateable value below £6,000 will pay no Business Rates for the 2012/2013 financial year.

“The Council knows that every little helps in the current climate,” said Ann, who praised local residents Vicky and Angela from Davenport who opened their new business in Shaw Heath recently.

Their family pottery painting café ‘Brooklyn Pottery’ is just across from Harry Bates. Residents can enjoy a cup of tea while a little one creates something unique!

Information regarding criteria for the changes to the new Small Business Rate Relief Scheme can be found at the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/businessrates.

Twitter users can use and follow the hashtag #SKbusiness for the latest business news in Stockport.

Boost for Award-winning Merseyway

Merseyway Shopping Centre in Stockport is celebrating a prestige award for the best property re-branding campaign in Europe.

Judges for the Transform awards handed victory to Merseyway’s marketing campaign, which together with pro-active management and financial investment, has turned around the fortunes of the shopping centre.

In 2011 footfall hit the 10m mark thanks to an increase of 670,000 from 2010; and high profile retailers have opened new units including Primark, Virgin Media and Costa Coffee.

Unique visitors to the website increased by 113% whilst 100% of current tenants renewed their leases such as Superdrug, Clarks and WH Smith.