‘Dilapidated' UK town is being turned into booming hotspot with its own canal park in £100k makeover
A 'DILAPIDATED' UK town will be turned into a booming hotspot with its own canal park in a £100k makeover.
Tameside Council is to use £100,000 of funding from Homes England to develop a major plan to revamp the centre of Droylsden, Manchester.
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It aims to turn the town's grim streets and empty shops into a bustling, connected hub that people actually want to visit.
The council want to facilitate a "long term sustainable solution" to sites such as the Droylsden Shopping Centre and the Greenside Lane Retail Park.
Planners say the crown jewel of the Droylsden Masterplan is the creation of a leafy Hollinwood Canal Park, reports the MEN.
With key infrastructure such as Metrolink already operational, there is belief among planners that it can undergo "transformational change".
This would link the Marina directly to the town centre with a new green route where the old canal once ran, right past the current Tesco and rundown shopping centre.
Locals and planners hope it can become a go-to spot for residents and punters from further afield.
Locals are crying out for change and the stats back it up.
Just 9 per cent reckon the town's shops are any good, and over half don't feel safe walking the streets.
A whopping 90 per cent of young people say they want out with one complaining "we have nowhere to go", reports Tameside Correspondent.
The town's once-proud landmarks have fallen into disrepair, and shoppers say the retail centre is a ghost town.
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It is a large reason why the council says it's time for a 'long-term sustainable solution' to bring the town back from the brink.
The masterplan includes six key projects aimed at turning things around.
These range from smart new homes to spruced-up streets, safer spaces for all ages, and even community gardens for locals to grow their own grub.
And with the Metrolink already running through the area, officials say Droylsden could soon be a go-to destination for both locals and visitors.
The plans hope to emulate the resurgence of East Manchester, now booming thanks to the Etihad Campus and Co-Op Live Arena.
Road revamps, better walking and cycling routes, and a new "green spine" through town are all on the cards.
However, the council needs to move fast, with the cash needing to be spent by March next year.
It's not just Droylsden getting a slice of the pie either.
Another £100k is headed to Ashton town centre to help sort out plans for the Arcades and Ladysmith shopping centres.
Councillor David Sweeton, executive member for inclusive growth, business and employment, told the meeting it was a 'good news story'.
'It's a key milestone in our regeneration programme around the borough,' he added.
'These monies will create a dedicated budget for the masterplan of Droylsden town centre.
'If we get these right, successful outcomes will include enhanced commercial and residential development, growth in council tax, business rates and a future masterplan for sustained growth.'
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