STOCKPORT EDITION NOVEMBER 2004 SEMMMS - THE STORY SO FAR... SEMMMS, the South East Manchester Multi Modal Strategy, has been improving the lives of people living and working in south east Greater Manchester over the last two years. A major programme of work has rapidly begun, bringing with it a wide range of local improvements. These include: traffic calming schemes in residential areas and around schools, which improve road safety; Integrated Transport Corridor schemes across the area, which reduce bus journey times; accessibility improvements for all modes of travel in the town and district centres; and an investment in Travel Plans for businesses and schools across Stockport offering genuine, sustainable travel alternatives. All of these improvements and many more are government, offer a whole range of higher quality transportation system for happening alongside the development of transport solutions to tackle issues of Stockport. the New Relief Road, so we can congestion, air quality, accessibility and To keep you up to date with all the strengthen the future of Stockport as a road safety in the borough. By ongoing, developments this newspaper is filled with place to live, shop and work. effective investment in all modes of local stories that give an illustration of The SEMMMS based projects, which transport, including rail, bus, road, cycle what is going on in your area and across are backed by money from national and pedestrian provision, we can provide a the whole region. Get Our Metrolink increasing public transport use and reducing Rochdale and Tameside. At the end of future congestion. September a high-level delegation delivered Back On Track! Metrolink is also absolutely vital to the future over 41,500 messages and pledges of support economic success of the area – with the to 10 Downing Street. Councillor Maureen Greater Manchester’s aspirations for a truly expanded network estimated to create Rowles, Stockport spokesperson on GMPTA, integrated transport network were dealt a severe thousands of jobs and have a significant said: “First and foremost the Authority would blow by the Secretary of State for Transport’s positive impact on the local economy. like to thank everyone involved for their announcement that the planned expansion of GMPTE’s Metrolink team are currently tremendous efforts to get Metrolink back on Metrolink to Oldham and Rochdale, Ashton, preparing a detailed re-submission of the track over the past few months. This is possibly South Manchester and Manchester Airport is scheme - its economic and regeneration the most hostile reaction to a Government “not approved”. benefits and an alternative funding package for decision which I, for one, have witnessed during The announcement has been greeted with delivering it, which is to be submitted to the my political career and the support shown by disbelief and disappointment, not just by government shortly. local communities, the private and public Greater Manchester Passenger Transport A major lobbying initiative is also underway – sectors, local media, MPs and the travelling Authority and Executive but by Greater called “Get Our Metrolink Back On Track” – to public has been overwhelming.” Manchester MPs and councillors, the business get the decision reversed. Highly successful To pledge support, please visit the GMPTE community, local people and the media. The public events involving local people, MPs, local website at www.gmpte.com or sign one of the decision fails to recognise Metrolink’s proven councillors and public and private sector books of support, which can be found at council success as the most cost-effective way of partners have been held in Manchester, Oldham, offices throughout Greater Manchester. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 0845 300 1316 OR LOG ONTO WWW.STOCKPORT.GOV.UK & WWW.GMPTE.COM 2 SEMMMS News Update 5, November 2004 SEMMMS NEW RELIEF ROAD Work is now well underway to develop include measures such as landscaping, the 25km relief road for south east screening or the use of 'quiet surfacing' for Manchester and the three local noise reduction. Feedback from authorities, Stockport, Cheshire and The three local authorities are still keen Manchester, would like to take this to hear people's views on the scheme and Stage 2 opportunity to thank everyone who took will endeavour to keep everyone informed Consultation part in the extensive consultation on the development of the relief road as process. work progresses. It is a priority for Stage 2 consultation (November Between September ‘03 and January Stockport, Cheshire and Manchester ‘03 - January ‘04) looked at the ‘04 almost 20,000 responses were Councils to develop a road that fulfils the Relief Road in more detail. received regarding proposals for the New requirements of local communities. The The consultation, which involved Relief Road. Comments on the scheme scheme is central to the provision of traffic leaflets and exhibitions, offered came via consultation leaflets, exhibitions, relief for south east Manchester and alternative routes for particular by telephone, by letter, website and in remains environmentally and economically sections of the road, as well as the person and all this feedback has been viable. different types of junction layouts incorporated into the design process. available along the route. We asked Working with local people has played a people to let us know which options vital role in the development of the scheme What happens next? they would prefer to see introduced. and will continue to be crucial in helping Following the outcome of the consultation The results were as follows: the three councils develop a relief road and studies so far, more detailed design that meets the local needs. work is being undertaken to determine the Route Options Along with the public consultation, precise alignment and junction layout of detailed work has been carried out to the route. A detailed cost-benefit analysis The responses received regarding understand the environmental impact of has also been submitted to the the route options at Manchester the New Relief Road. Specialist Department for Transport, which puts Airport Eastern Link Road (West) and consultants have studied a number of forward the business case for the road and Poynton Bypass indicated that there subjects including air quality, ecology, indicates the level of funding required by was support for both options. With nature conservation, traffic noise and Government to support the road through no clear favourite, further work has vibration and have also identified a number to completion. A decision from been carried out to decide which of issues that need further consideration Government is expected in December would be the preferred option. as the design develops. The Environmental 2004 and backing for the New Relief Road Assessment is identifying specific would then allow a planning application for Junction Options measures that can be used to minimise the scheme to be submitted in autumn There was a clear preference from impact on surrounding areas. This may 2005. respondents regarding the options available at five of the eight proposed junctions. At each of Stockport Road West, Marple Road, Macclesfield Road, Chester Road and Woodford Road a majority of respondents preferred Option 2. These options generally involved the Relief Road passing under the existing road and being joined by slip roads. At the other junctions, Bean Leach Road & Stepping Hill Link, A6 Buxton Road and Shadow Moss Road, the responses indicated that both options have support but again with no clear favourite. In these cases, further work has been carried out to reassess the options available. Left to right: Mrs Pigram, a member of the public, discussing the SEMMMS New Relief Road with Highways Specialist, Nick Whelan and Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Infrastructure. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 0845 300 1316 OR LOG ONTO WWW.STOCKPORT.GOV.UK & WWW.GMPTE.COM SEMMMS News Update 5, November 2004 3 COUNCIL LEADER’S COMMENTS Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council commented, “I am very pleased with the progress that has been made so far on the implementation of this comprehensive strategy. SEMMMS has allowed us to focus additional resources on transport initiatives as well as work in partnership with other local authorities and GMPTE in order to reap the maximum benefits for the people of Stockport. In particular, the borough has already benefited from SEMMMS funding and we’ve seen improvements in journey times for public transport, new and safer cycling and pedestrian facilities, as well as wide-ranging improvements in the district centres and town centre. All of this is working alongside the development of the New Relief Road, which will be central to the provision of traffic relief in Stockport. It has been extremely disappointing to hear that we will not be getting the Metrolink extension in Stockport at this time. However, SEMMMS is a 20-year transport plan and we remain steadfast in our determination to bring Metrolink to Stockport. In the meantime we will forge ahead with other major improvements for travel across the borough in order to strengthen the future of Stockport for Councillor Mark Hunter everyone.” STOCKPORT TOWN CENTRE GETS THE SEMMMS TREATMENT During 2003 visitors to the town fewer delays and a more reliable and better Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Executive centre will have seen extensive public transport service through this busy Member for Infrastructure, said, “These highway and footpath improvement area. Complementary funding has also improvements will benefit everyone who helped to improve access into the car parks, visits the area. Bus services are now closer works underway. with the repositioning of entry / exit points to the town centre and the two-way link has As recommended by SEMMMS, Stockport helping to reduce delays. greatly improved reliability. This, in turn, Council identified a number of improvements should encourage that could be made to the town centre more people to travel environment, pedestrian and cycling by public transport.