ANDY Burnham says Ashton-under-Lyne will be leading the way as he launched a huge project aimed at regenerating the area.
And the Mayor of Greater Manchester believes the new Mayoral Development Zone (AMDZ) will benefit the rest of Tameside.
More than 10,000 jobs, 1,500 homes and 190,000 square metres of employment space can be created in the scheme.
What has been dubbed the Rayner Lane Trade Park and Ashton Moss Innovation Park are among proposals for that area.
But Mayor Burnham believes the public transport infrastructure makes Ashton so attractive, with changes expected sooner rather than later.
He said: “The most immediate change is the Bee Network. That’s going to change in a fortnight, Ashton is going to get a number of Bee Network services serving the interchange.
“You’ll have one of the best public transport systems in the country outside of London because you’ve got an interchange that has the most integrated model with the tram right outside the door and the simplistic ticketing that will come into place.
“That has been a thing we needed to fix but we are fixing it. From January 5, Tameside will have a fully integrated, London style, public transport system.
“That’s something nowhere else in the north of England will have – a tap-in, tap-out system with a daily cap.”
The AMDZ will be split into three areas – Ashton Moss, St Petersfield and Ashton Town Centre.
And Mayor Burnham believes the former can bring the most benefit to the whole area, which is feels is begging to be transformed, which the framework for transforming Stalybridge a big part.
He added: “This area is full of potential, the big selling point being its location, its assets and its transport system now.
“The benefits throughout the borough will be when people can reach the centres of employment. Whatever we bring to Ashton Moss, we want everyone in Tameside to be within easy and convenient reach.
“We’ve moved away from every town having lots of employment. That’s an era that won’t be coming back. It’s about giving everyone easy access to where there is quality employment.
“I look at Tameside and I just see potential. I look at Stalybridge and I just see potential.
“It’s absolutely going to move forward at some point soon and it’s linked to what we’re doing in Ashton, one thing leads to another.
“For Staybridge, it’s not about saying, ‘It’s nothing more than a commuter town,’ but it’s a big way in which you bring a new generation of people in to live.
“It’s about replacing retail that’s no longer needed with high quality residential, then you bring in the new footfall needed to sustain the new offer, which will make it a better place to live.
“Stockport has done it. I don’t see any reason why places in Tameside can’t do it.”
Despite insisting it is not all about bringing in new commuters, Mayor Burnham admitted Tameside’s proximity to Manchester adds to its attractiveness.
But Ashton Moss will not just be handed to anyone, quality will be a main point.
He said: “In my generation, it was thought you had to go south to get on in life, now people are coming north to do it.
“Work, not fully in place yet, is coming to Tameside and Ashton very soon and, let’s be honest, its proximity to the city centre is a big selling point as that becomes more successful.
“That gives an opportunity to places within easy reach. Stockport has benefitted, why can’t Tameside and Ashton?
“And the east of the city region is in a very different position today than it was when I was growing up when stuff was just closing. Not it’s the scene of unbelievable regeneration.
“We’re also working with the council around brownfield funding for housing. The way you regenerate any town is if you being new footfall to these proud towns – perhaps younger people, living in them – you bring new bars, restaurants and places to go. That brings the life back to these places.
“A part of this Mayoral Development Zone will be about affordable residential for younger people, bringing people into these places then the breathing of new life into these towns.
“Ashton’s a great town, it’s about adding to it and bringing it to the next level – beyond that its’ about having a vision for Ashton Moss.
“We need to make sure we get the highest value investment on that site and the best possible employment.”
This is ridiculous now. We need an investigation.
Several years ago, a neighbour commented to me that “In 10 years, we’ll all be living in Greater Ashton”. This looks like the first step!
Andy Burnam says scrap local business, more social housing so he can keep piling money into his precious city centre. How many more local communities are going to suffer at his hands. Not comtempt with leaching every bit of money out of surrounding locations such as Miles Platting Greenhays etc. he now looks further afield to destroy tameside, oldham and salford.
Slow clap to the mayor and the corrupt council
When will the independent bus companies go?
Look at this group picture ? l know looks aren’t everything but make an effort first impressions have and will always paint a picture of the area they represent I don’t look like that at my worst after a days gardening I know casual is the excepted dress code but please make an effort you represent the north west the impression this photo tells the south does this photo represent leaders from the north or have they been picked from local shoppers.
Please all of you change you image and dress to impress and not depress voters please.