It’s been confirmed that Trafford Council and developers Bruntwood have been given the green light to commence the “ambitious” town centre regeneration project in Stretford.
After the multi-million pound outline planning application was submitted at the end of 2021, following what was said to have been an “extensive period” of consultation with the local community, these approved plans are intended to set the parameters for future redevelopment, Trafford Council says.
New places to play, work, eat, shop, and live are to provided in Stretford town centre as part of the wider Stretford Masterplan and the Area Action Plan (AAP).
According to the Council and Bruntwood, there are also further proposals to provide up to 800 homes around Stretford Mall, St Matthews Church, and Lacy Street car park – which will include affordable housing and bring much-needed new homes to the area.
Sustainability and the high street regeneration is said to be at the heart of the masterplan.
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The plans centre around creating people-friendly spaces and new pedestrian routes into and around the town centre with the intention of “enhancing the flow of footfall around the area”, and creating more green meeting areas with public squares and open spaces, including a green biodiversity corridor and ‘Central Park’ at the heart of the town centre, through to a much-improved Bridgewater Canal waterside experience.
The green light has been given to commence the “ambitious” town centre regeneration project in Stretford / Credit: Bruntwood & Trafford Council
A new covered market hall is also planned.
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With the aim of boosting the local evening economy, according to Trafford Council and Bruntwood, the new market hall will create a home for retailers, eateries, and bars, with outdoor seating spilling out into a new south-facing community space, which will feature a covered shopping area.
Speaking on the approval of the plans, Cllr Andrew Western – Leader of Trafford Council – said: “The planning approval is a huge milestone for Trafford Council as we can now start work to redevelop the town centre for the whole community to enjoy.
“The Stretford Masterplan is a huge moment in our long-term collaborative partnership, and it’s a pleasure to work towards a shared vision and goals with Bruntwood and the local community who were involved every step of the way.
“These exciting plans will significantly improve connectivity, create valuable green and open spaces, and special places for people to gather and interact, [and] with the high street at the centre of the plans, the masterplan will also help attract local independent businesses and exciting retail and hospitality brands, while hugely enhancing the lives of residents and visitors. We are very proud to be giving this incredible scheme the green light.”
Sustainability and the high street regeneration is said to be at the heart of the masterplan / Credit: Bruntwood & Trafford Council
Bruntwood is known for having a track record in town centre regenerations.
The company says its purpose of “creating thriving cities” recognises the need for continuous investment in the town centres that surround them to help each other succeed, and the focus of its work around reviving town centres is ensuring “social, economic, and environmental sustainability”, and creating a space that is “dynamic, inspirational, and futureproof.”
The aim of these reinvigorated town centres, according to Bruntwood, is to evolve collaboration between residents and businesses to create “inclusive and social hubs that add vibrancy to the whole community.”
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We're pleased to announce, in partnership with @TraffordCouncil, that planning approval for the transformation masterplan for Stretford Mall & Town centre has been given the green light.The project is set to transform the area into a greener, healthier & more #sustainable area. pic.twitter.com/2FFuMXY5P2
Andrea George – Town Centre and Consumer Brands Director at Bruntwood – added: “Undertaking such an extensive consultation period with the local community allowed us to create a masterplan that provides for the people of Stretford and its surrounding areas, so we are very pleased that it has been given approval allowing us to start the process of breathing new life into the town centre.
“Through these plans, the high street will become the beating heart of the town and create a dynamic and entrepreneurial district that promotes collaboration and community.
“It’s fantastic to have achieved this milestone.
“We can now move ahead with our plans and start delivering a positive evolution of Stretford for its people.”
Full list of road closures set to be in place for Manchester Day 2024
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Day is back for 2024 this weekend, and the full list of road closures set to be in place has been confirmed.
Now that schools are officially out across Greater Manchester, and the summer holidays are well and truly here, the hugely-popular Manchester Day is making a return once again this Saturday 27 July, and as always, it’s set to be “the day summer officially starts” in the city centre – with a massive celebration of “all things Mancunian” on the cards.
The theme of this year’s annual event is ‘Let The Games Begin’, and it’s inspired by the international summer of sport, just 2024 Olympics kicks off over in Paris.
The day will be packed full of free events and activities to get involved with.
Some city centre roads will be closed on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 July for Manchester Day.
These will include:
🛣️Deansgate 🛣️St Ann Street 🛣️St Mary’s Gate 🛣️Market Street 🛣️King Street
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) July 21, 2024
But of course, in order for the all the fun to go ahead as safely as possible, and as tends to be the case for events like these, Manchester City Council says it will need to make some temporary road closures to facilitate it.
The full list of road closures has now been confirmed by the Council, and there’s some major city centre thoroughfares set to be out of action.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Manchester Day is back for 2024 to celebrate the international summer of sport / Credit: Manchester City Council
Manchester Day 2024 – Road Closures
Saturday 27 July
From 6am to 11:59pm, Manchester City Council has confirmed that the following roads will be closed:
Deansgate (Manchester Cathedral to John Dalton Street) – access will be maintained to Marks and Spencer’s car park and Number One Deansgate.
St Ann Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)
St Mary’s Street (Southbridge Street to Deansgate)
Market Street (Exchange Street to Cross Street)
Fennel Street (Corporation Street to Cathedral Street) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cathedral Street (Fennel Street to Exchange Square) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cateaton Street (Exchange Square to Deansgate)
Barton Square (St Ann’s Square to St Ann Street)
King Street (Cross Street to Deansgate) – no access for deliveries.
All accessible bays, bus lanes, and taxi ranks within the closed areas will also be suspended during from 6pm on Friday 26 July to 11:59pm on Saturday 27 July.
The parking suspensions set to be in place are:
Deansgate (Manchester Cathedral to John Dalton Street)
St Ann Street – including the bays outside St Ann’s Church (Deansgate to Cross Street)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)
St Mary’s Street (Southbridge Street to Deansgate)
Southgate (St Mary’s Street to King Street West)
Market Street (Exchange Street to Cross Street)
Fennel Street (Corporation Street to Cathedral Street) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cathedral Street (Fennel Street to Exchange Square) – access will be maintained for morning deliveries only.
Cateaton Street (Exchange Square to Deansgate)
Victoria Street (Cathedral Approach to Deansgate)
Todd Street (Corporation Street to Station Approach)
King Street (Spring Gardens to Southgate)
South King Street (Ridgefield to Deansgate)
Barton Square (St Ann’s Square to St Ann Street)
King Street West (Deansgate to St Mary’s Parsonage)
St James’s Square (John Dalton Street to South King Street)
Cross Street (King Street to Corporation Street)
Museum Street (Peter Street to Windmill Street)
Marsden Street (Cheapside to Brown Street)
Manchester Day 2024: Let The Games Begin! will take over the city centre on Saturday 27 July from 12pm-6pm.
Check out everything you need to know ahead of the event here.
‘Complex’ Metrolink repairs to the Rochdale via Oldham line could take weeks to complete
Emily Sergeant
Work currently underway on the Rochdale via Oldham line is expected to take several weeks to complete.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has now “slowed”, and this means that detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works have been able to get underway.
In order for trams to run again on the crucial line from the city centre to the two major Greater Manchester towns, TfGM says that a small section of track has to be moved back – also known as ‘slewed’ – into its original position.
The overhead line poles also need to be repaired too, the transport operator revealed.
Rochdale line update
Land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has slowed, enabling detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works to get underway.
To get trams running again, a small section of track has to be moved back into its original position… pic.twitter.com/byERjitdi1
Unfortunately though, due to the “complex” nature of these works, and despite the fact that TfGM says it’s actively looking to “accelerate” the repairs, the project is expected to take up to five weeks to complete in full.
On top of this, the detailed ground investigations will also establish whether any further work to strengthen foundations beneath the track will be needed at a later date.
TfGM has apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
‘Complex’ Metrolink repairs to the Rochdale via Oldham line could take weeks to complete / Credit: TfGM
Speaking on the scale of works currently underway, and how long he expects them to continue for, Pete Sommers, who is TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “I’m sorry for the impact this is having, and will continue to have, on people’s journeys.
“We are working to get trams running through the area again, but this remains a complex and challenging issue and it could still be a few weeks before this happens.
“We will of course keep passengers updated, and I’d encourage people to check our social media channels and website for the latest information and advice.”