THE FUTURE of Denton has been mapped out in a new masterplan aimed at revitalising the town.
And a series of ‘quick wins’ has been identified as Tameside Council looks at how to spend the £16.765 million of Levelling Up Fund money it received.
Connecting the area better, along with making better use of what it already has, are among the key themes of the document, which will be presented to Tameside Council’s executive cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday, December 17.
Feedback showed more than two thirds of people were negative about the town, with documents saying: “Day-to-day activation is concentrated at Crownpoint Shopping Park and there is a distinct lack of street life, particularly in the evening.”
Now this proposal looks to bring new life to the town, with some of the quick wins – which could be delivered by March 2026 or March 2028 – including work on the main Manchester Road.
That would see a modal filter – which restricts the passage of certain types of vehicle – at the northern end of Gould Street to reduce traffic on the street to create a lower traffic environment and green link between Manchester Road and Victoria Park entrance
Documents state: “This modal filter unlocks the opportunity to create a new pocket space at the north of the street for residents and local adjacent businesses and the opportunity to test options for street trees and planting along the street – highlighting the route and entrance to the park.”
Continuous crossings or side street treatments, providing enhanced and safer movement along Manchester Road are also proposed, along with localised footway widening and removal of guardrails to create additional pedestrian space and the opportunity for the installation of street trees or temporary planters.
Relocating parking bays along Victoria Street to create space for a series of ‘parklets’ – normally seating, Market Street to become a pedestrian priority space and key link between Manchester Road and Civic Square and organising servicing and parking on Market Street to open the entrance to Memorial Gardens are among other ideas.
Getting youngsters involved to design artwork to go on hoarding as work is done on Denton’s Festival Hall and Town Hall and forming a ‘play trail’, from Crownpoint Shopping to Victoria Park, plus heritage boards in the latter, are also put forward.
Documents say the 700-metre trail, ‘highlights heritage features, marks the route in the short-term and starts to encourage pedestrian flows north and south.’
They add: “This will improve perception of safety in the park, discourage anti-social behaviour and connect people with the park’s heritage and identity building on community pride.”
Victoria Park alone is the scene of 16 potential interventions, including cleaning then war memorial, painting the bandstand, replacing benches and bins and repairing the gates.
While sprucing up the Memorial Gardens and improvements to the Town Hall are also on the list.
The full masterplan has been helped by sessions which saw 369 people give their feedback on their feelings about the town.
And not everyone was in agreement as council paperwork continues: “The Denton Public Realm Masterplan consultation highlighted tensions between ambitions for sustainable, people-focused spaces and residents’ reliance on vehicle access.
“While some supported cycling, greening, and pedestrian-friendly proposals, most opposed cycle lanes and road capacity reductions, fearing congestion, parking issues, and harm to local businesses – especially around Crown Point junction.
“Participants stressed traffic management, better public transport links and Denton’s commuter-town role.
“Beyond transport, priorities included tackling anti-social behaviour, youth services, and maintaining existing infrastructure before adding new features.
“Residents valued heritage, market restoration and practical improvements that enhance safety, support businesses and preserve identity without gentrification.
“Both the in-person and online engagement processes revealed a community seeking practical improvements that enhance safety, support local businesses, preserve Denton’s distinctive identity and benefit existing residents rather than contributing to gentrification, all whilst maintaining the vehicle access.”
Complaints included inadequate cycling infrastructure around Denton roundabout and unsafe, congested roads, particularly at Stockport Road and Saxon Street junctions.
Tram services and a more frequent railway service were also called for to reduce car dependency.
People also told how all youth services had been lost, contributing to anti-social behaviour, particularly in Victoria Park, with young people regularly talking about discrimination and having nowhere to gather, leading to calls for youth centres, indoor sports facilities and free activities.
As well as the Levelling Up Fund money, further investment is also sought for the Festival Hall and Denton Town Hall.
And the masterplan sets out what it wants to achieve, adding: “this will help the town centre to reach its full potential and deliver further comprehensive regeneration, attracting additional footfall and investment.”
Priorities include making it a ‘characterful and legible place,’ a place for the community and public life, a vibrant and diverse place and a safe and active place after dark.
More practically, they include reinvigorating Manchester Road, reinstating Crown Point Junction as part of the historic centre, extending Civic Square into adjacent street spaces and re-imagining Market Street as an activated link to key destinations – Manchester Road, Victoria Park, the forthcoming Hatters Food Hall, Denton Town Hall, and St Mary’s Catholic Church.
The hope is to create an active and green street on Stockport Road to attract new businesses and increase a sense of life and provide new public space on Queen Street that provides a new setting for Festival Hall, connects the pedestrian bridge, is the location for a new cycle hub and enhances sense of arrival from Crownpoint Shopping.
It is also hoped to transform Duke Street, Park Road and Kynder Street into child-friendly school streets.
Documents also spell out the challenges facing Denton, stating: “The construction of the M67 motorway has physically divided the town centre, creating severance and limiting pedestrian connectivity.
“Additionally, the proximity to the motorway, absence of a Metrolink and limited services from Denton Train Station result in a public realm dominated by vehicles and poor air quality.
“Denton’s historic high street is suffering with increasing cost pressures on businesses, poor condition and/or underutilisation of prominent buildings and lacks street life and character.”