News
Metrolink could finally be coming to Stockport as plans hint at tram’s future
A committee heard the plans for a future line that will extend into the borough
Development project plans drop a huge hint towards a future tram line that could run into Stockport.
Space to include the tracks have been included as part of a development project for the town, as Network Rail plans to replace the Greek Street and Stockholm Road bridges due to deterioration.
Work will include tram-train future proofing for an additional track to run through a tunnel so the bridge can be adapted when the trams extend to Stockport.
Residents of the borough have been calling for trams to travel to the SK area for years now and even the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said back in 2019 that he would like the service to extend to Stockport, Wigan and Bolton.
The aim of the plans would see Stockport linked to both Manchester Airport and East Didsbury.
The design proposes that a Metrolink service would travel through a new tunnel which would run under part of Mercian Way and King Street West between Booth Street and the Railway Station.
It would include improved access for pedestrians and cyclists at the Greek Street Bridge site.
At the Communities and Transport Scrutiny Committee held on October 9th, Labour Councillor Rachel Wise said: “I’m absolutely thrilled.
“I’m somebody who likes to get buses and trains and would love to get a tram, I think it’s absolutely the right thing to do, to not close off any possibility of the tram coming to Stockport, coming to the right places, being functional, and getting it to the places that people need to go.”
Councillor Grace Baynham, cabinet member for parks, highways and transport services, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Greek Street Bridge is a key structure for the town’s transport links, in particular for rail and future Metrolink access to Stockport station, as well as being a key route for motorists accessing the town centre and Edgeley.
“The scheme would improve the current road layout, but also improve facilities for walkers and cyclists and would also create critical infrastructure to allow for any future Metrolink route to the town centre as part of our ‘Next Stop Stockport’ ambitions.
“We must recognise that Stockport now has a central role to play in connecting the Greater Manchester sub-region to national destinations through the West Coast Mainline and protecting the ability to deliver Metrolink to the town centre through these works meets that ambition.”
Work to replace Greek Street Bridge is expected to commence in 2025, though it will cause temporary disruption to rail and traffic for commuters throughout the build.
Part of the development will impact the Armoury roundabout and create the need for diversion routes to be put in place while construction takes place. This would see a greater traffic flow through surrounding residential areas, in particular Edgeley.
The cost to replace the bridges is expected to be between £15 – £20 million, with Stockport Council contributing around 5%.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has secured funding from the City Region Sustainable Travel Settlement Tram-Train package, which will cover any additional work costs necessary for tram-train future proofing that is not funded by Network Rail.
On Monday, October 9th, the proposal was put before the Transport Scrutiny Committee where councillors noted its designs.
It is expected to also face questions at the Central Stockport Area Committee due to be held on October 19th.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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