Latest news with #StockportCouncil
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stockport 'can't wait' for tram to town centre
People in Stockport have welcomed the announcement of funding for a long-awaited extension of Greater Manchester's tram line into the town centre. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £2.5bn in funding for Greater Manchester, some of which will be used to extend the Metrolink network to the town. It is also set to be used to create new stops in Bury, north Manchester and Oldham, Reeves said. Stockport commuter Becci Simmons, 37, said she "can't wait" for the day that she can take the tram to work in Manchester, rather than multiple trains. Becci added: "We have quite a lot of trouble on that [train] line. And if have any trouble, you're stuck. You can't do anything else. "You've got to take the bus and the bus can take an hour." Leader of Stockport Council Mark Roberts said the recently-completed Stockport Interchange was "Metrolink-ready". Roberts, who was appointed to the top job last week, said: "Stockport is the fastest-growing town in Greater Manchester, and today's decision sends a powerful signal that investment is following ambition." He said the council had led the push for the Metrolink extension, alongside the business community. Labour MP for Stockport Navendu Mishra said the details around the project were yet to be figured out. He said the plan would help to "future proof" Greater Manchester's Bee Network. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the funding would also go towards 1000 new electric buses, meaning the entire Bee Network would become emission-free. He said: "We can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network – creating the UK's first fully electric, zero-emission integrated public transport system by 2030." Burnham said new transport interchanges would be built in Leigh and central Manchester, with new transport infrastructure also to be built in Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Middleton and Stretford. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Chancellor announces £15bn for transport projects Council leader renews Metrolink expansion call Transport for Greater Manchester
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Two benefit claimants wrongly chased for money by the DWP - now they're dead
Campaigners are calling for the Department for Work and Pensions to re-consider slashing benefits and warned that it is causing severe damage and in the worst cases, death Two women who were wrongly chased for debts by the Department for Work and Pensions were both found dead after being tormented and threatened for months. Kristie Hunt, 31, sadly died by suicide following an overdose in November 2023. The aspiring nurse was harassed for more than £1,000 in mistaken debt shortly before she took her own life. While mum-of-four Karen McBride endured the same problem before she was discovered dead inside her home in 2022. For Karen, her family reported that she "spiralling into a dark place" following an ongoing issue over "erroneous debt". Both of them faced losing their homes after the mishap, which took a toll on them mentally. It comes after Kristie, from Stockport, received disability benefits and had been diagnosed with a number of mental health conditions, and had a history of substance abuse and self-harm. She had been getting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). She rejoined the workforce after a 13-year break. But Kristie's call to the DWP to inform them of her new employment wasn't documented – and she was investigated by the counter-fraud team, was issued a wrongful penalty charge, and was chased to pay back ESA money falsely determined by the DWP to be an overpayment. DWP urged to make major changes after three tragic claimant deaths - one starved The DWP also sent incorrect information to Stockport Council, the inquest heard, which led to the local authority wrongly telling Kristie she owed more than £800 in housing benefit. It meant the DWP and the local authority were wrongly coming after Kristie for more than £1,000 for months, until just weeks before her death. 'At the time of taking the overdose there were a number of factors which on the day, or in the preceding days/weeks, likely impacted adversely on Kristie Ann Hunt's state of mind and likely contributed to her actions,' the coroner's conclusion read. Leigh Day said: 'During Kristie's final call with the department about her ESA claim on 30 October 2023, she was noted to be confused and tearful throughout, yet she was not even asked whether she was okay.' Colin Barrow, Kristie's stepdad said: "Knowing Krissi, she would have felt the pressures of the DWP reported debts. Even with the positive aspects of her new job she would have been in a panic. 'She would have thought her flat would be in jeopardy. But she continued with her new job and looking positive. All the stresses she experienced close to her death would have been too much for her and she would have put on a brave face that she wanted people to see especially at work." Karen's family said she had an "issue with housing benefit right from the beginning". She sadly died at the age of 46. The 2023 inquest into her death was told how Karen had also received a letter from Tameside Council in March 2022 telling her that her housing benefit had been suspended. She also received a letter from her housing association that she was in rent arrears, as her rent was paid through housing benefit. The "apparent issue" was her son turning 19 affecting her entitlement to housing benefit. Karen's daughter, Codie, said the debt was "pursued for many months" with letters continuing, but it turned out to be an error, reports Manchester Evening News. "We now know that the housing benefit should never have been stopped, as regardless of my brother's age, mum was in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which means her housing benefit entitlement would remain the same. "She was desperately overwhelmed. She was spiralling into a dark place and whenever she rang to find out what was happening and asked about the letters she had received she would be told they were just automated and she should just ignore them. For mum, this was much easier said than done." Karen Milner, from the council tax team at Tameside Council, said the Department for Work and Pensions notified the council to say a 'non-dependent' was living at the house, but on the council's records it said 'dependent'. That's why, she said, payments to Karen were suspended. Ms Milner said information was processed based on what details the council had and denied the council had made an error. Karen had been paid Personal Independence Payment (PIP) since 2016 – and that was extended after a review until July 2023, the inquest heard, but Ms Milner said the council was not notified it had been extended. The council, heard the inquest, thought that Karen had not been in receipt of PIP after February, 2020. The coroner said the inquest highlighted the "complexities of navigating the benefits system" and said the evidence showed she was "frustrated to the point of desperation", but ruled that he didn't agree 'the state' should have been aware of a risk to her life. Protestors last week took over a DWP conference in Manchester and warned that more people will die if benefits continue to be slashed. It comes as Government statistics show 800,000 people will miss out on an average of £4,500 annually from PIP cuts. A further 150,000 people will lose carer's allowance, and almost three million will also lose out from changes to Universal Credit. The government's own figures have shown the reforms could push 250,000 people into poverty. But ministers say £5 billion needs to be saved by the end of the decade. A DWP spokesperson said: 'Our sincerest condolences are with the family and friends of Ms Hunt and Ms McBride in these tragic cases. Our aim is always to provide the best possible support to those who need it, ensuring they can access the appropriate services.' If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operates a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email Jo@ if you'd prefer to write down how you feel. You are not alone.
ITV News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
More than a thousand Morris Dancers take over the streets of Stockport for a Day of Dance
More than a thousand Morris Dancers have descended on Stockport for a Day of Dance. The celebration is thought to be the largest gathering of Morris Dancers the UK has everseen. The event featured a spectacular parade, hourly performances and a show-stopping Grand Dance finale. More than 60 Morris Dance teams set off from Viaduct Park at 10.30am on a parade which weaved its way through the town centre before reaching Market Place. Throughout the day, there were traditional Morris jigs, high-energy folk jam sessions and impromptu dance-offs at dedicated performance zones located at the Underbanks, Merseyway, Viaduct Park, Prince's Street, Suffragette Square and Market Place. The annual event was hosted by Adlington Morris Men on behalf of the Morris Ring and supported by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport BID and Merseyway. One of the organisers, Rob Tidy from the Adlington Morris Men, said it was a real national celebration with dancers coming from all over the country to take part. "We've got sides coming in from Yorkshire, from Wales, as far away as Somerset, lots of different types of morris dancing representing the diversity of English folk traditions and dance from across the country." Cllr Helen Foster Grime, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport at Stockport Council, said: 'It's a real honour for Stockport to host this national celebration of Morris dancing, welcoming groups from all over the country to our town. It's events like this that bring our communities together, fill our streets with joy, and make Stockport such a fantastic place."
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The 10-year-old girl who really didn't want to be late for school
A crossing has been installed on a main road in Stockport after a heartfelt appeal from a schoolgirl. Hannah, 10, wrote to her MP last year saying a crossing was badly needed in Heaton Moor so she could safely walk to the school on her own when she starts Year 6 in September. The letter was passed on to Stockport Council who agreed and started work on the crossing on Heaton Moor Road, near the junctions with Peel Moat Road and Broomfield Road, earlier this year. READ MORE: 'These dog attacks are happening more and more, running wild... things have to change' READ MORE: Primark store in Greater Manchester taped off after woman dies It was this week completed with St Thomas' Primary pupil Hannah being invited down to officially turn it on. 'I sent a letter in asking about a crossing and explaining the reasons why I wanted it because normally we have to go to the crossing all the way down near Shaw Road and then it'll make me late for school" she said. 'But with these new lights it's really easy to cross and I'll be using this every day now.' She was joined by staff and pupils who are members of the Eco Committee at her school. Chris Silk, deputy head at St Thomas' said: 'It was an honour to be invited to 'launch' the new pedestrian crossing on Heaton Moor Road. "It will make a massive difference to our school community by encouraging yet more active travel to our school. "As a school, we have worked hard to reduce our impact on the environment and to educate our pupils about the benefits of active travel. Infrastructure like this crossing really supports these messages. 'I'm very proud of Hannah for taking the initiative to write to ask for this crossing as part of her Young Leaders Award. One of the aims of the award is to 'empower pupils to serve their communities' and Hannah demonstrated this by being so proactive.' The crossing has been delivered by Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) with funding from the Active Travel Fund. Coun Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services at the council, said: 'While plans for the crossing were already in motion as part of the council's wider commitment to sustainable travel, Hannah's letter reinforced just how important the improvements would be for local families. 'Her passion for road safety and sustainable travel brought real attention to the need for safer walking routes – and she was the perfect person to help mark the completion of the project. 'We know all about the hard work that the team at St Thomas' are doing to encourage active travel on a daily basis, including their work in setting up and maintaining a School Street. 'We're working hard to create green, more inclusive and safer neighbourhoods and one way to do this is improving our sustainable travel routes across the borough, so we can help everyone make better travel choices on a day-to-day basis.'
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Life's work of Cheshire artist with Alzheimer's goes on show
The life's work of a renowned artist with Alzheimer's is to go on display. John Renshaw's paintings will be on display at the Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery later. Renshaw, 78, from Macclesfield, trained in Stockport and then went on to teach at its daughter Anna Lomas said her father "remembers very little but his passion for art, painting, drawing, and literature is one thing he has not forgotten". Amongst Renshaw's many achievements was being selected for the Royal Academy of Painters' Summer Exhibition in Helen Foster-Grime, cabinet member for community, culture and sport at Stockport Council, said: "We are delighted to host this special exhibition of John Renshaw's work."Through his connection with Stockport College, John is remembered fondly by colleagues and former students alike and this is a unique opportunity to see a diverse collection of his work all in one place." Ms Lomas said: "Dad's love of painting, teaching, and talking about art is all consuming. "He is immensely proud of his career in this field, and making a difference to those he worked with and for along the way is something he cherishes deeply. "Now dad has Alzheimer's he remembers very little but his passion for art, painting, drawing, and literature is one thing he has not forgotten."She added: "We have chosen to show his work now so he can share his love with the public and be present to see how much it is appreciated."The exhibition will be by the Renshaw family and the University of Chester, where he was a long serving senior lecturer, head of department and Emeritus Professor of Fine will be hosted by Stockport Council, and will run until 18 May. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
