FOR A FULL UPDATE ON THE TOWN CENTRE – Businesses, Public Realm, Hospitality & Events
CLICK HERE  (Adobe Reader required)

__________________________________________________________________________

FRIENDS OF CARRINGTON MOSS – UPDATE

Guys, I am sure you will all be aware that the Places for Everyone documents have now been submitted to the Secretary of State (Places For Everyone – Greater Manchester Combined Authority (greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk)).

Manchester Airport Future Airspace Project

Manchester Airport Group (MAG) is in the process of updating the flight paths in and out of the airport as part of a UK-wide re-planning of flight paths.  This is a very complex process, controlled by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is described in detail in a document published in March 2021 by the CAA on Airspace Change.  The flight paths used for take-off and landing have the potential to have a significant impact on Bowdon if the routes adopted concentrate low level aircraft movements overhead and increase aircraft noise nuisance.  However, noise impact is only one of the areas that the re-planning will consider; fuel efficiency, other environmental air quality issues and the interaction with the flight paths to and from other local airports are also key factors.

Following the CAA prescribed process, the airport undertook some preliminary market research to understand residents´ concerns and consider what sort of factors should be considered in the re-planning of flight paths.  The airport then published a set of design principles to be used in the design of the updated flight paths.

Following on from their publication MAG considered flight path options, testing alternative proposals against the design principles they had adopted.  In March/April 2022 the proposed new flight paths were consulted on in small focus groups.  In the discussions the alternative route options were evaluated against the design principles.  Subsequently, the route options were refined, there was an options appraisal of each and then those options were submitted to the CAA ahead of a UK wide consultation process. MAG has now started the process of preparing for the formal consultation. It is planning its stakeholder consultation and engagement, and preparing the consultation documents, including the second-phase Full Options Appraisal with more rigorous evidence for its chosen option(s). The full consultation will occur in 2023/24.

Our colleagues at Bowdon Conservation Group have taken an active role in the consultations so far, but they have some concerns that the process to date has been very prescriptive and do not yet have the information needed to enable them to evaluate the impact of proposals on aircraft noise over Bowdon and Altrincham.

From a local residents’ perspective it is important to note that currently 80% of all flights take off in a south westerly direction and 39% of these fly in the general direction north and east in the vicinity of Bowdon, ie 31% of all take offs fly north and east near Bowdon.

MAG presented the preliminary `design corridors` for the take-off routes to be used by aircraft under the control of Manchester Airport until they attain an altitude of 7000ft. The current control altitude is 4000ft and the current Preferred Noise Routes (PNR) are 3km wide. In future the take-off routes can be more closely controlled due to modern GPS navigation systems. Evidently, a narrower PNR will concentrate the noise nuisance to those unfortunate enough to live beneath that new PNR. At present there is no PNR above 4000ft but in future one will be required to define the route to 7000ft. This aspect is of significant concern to Bowdon Conservation Group as it is between 4000 and 7000ft that most aircraft overfly in the vicinity of Bowdon. Bowdon is also disadvantaged by being in the focal point of the turning track of aircraft as they turn from a south westerly direction to north and then east.

Since the re-planning may well have a significant impact on Bowdon we encourage residents to review the consultation documents and to respond to the consultation when it comes.  We will provide further updates as information becomes available. A link to the documents most recently published in March 2023 can be found here: https://airspacechange.caa.co.uk/news?Page=1

TFGM have launched a brand new website dedicated to all things active travel, to help you with everything from getting started, sharing inspiration to change the way you travel and finding out the latest Bee Network route updates in your area.

You can explore your neighbourhood on the ‘Where you live’ page. Get a personalised map of landmarks in your neighbourhood that you can reach by walking 15 minutes. Make walking and cycling part of your daily routine. It’s the easiest, most fun and reliable way to get around for everyday journeys.

CLICK ON THIS LINK activetravel.tfgm.com/where-you-live

Active Neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester

Harrie Larrington-Spencer & Dr Graeme Sherriff, Healthy Active Cities, University of Salford

Watch the YouTube video about Graeme and Harrie’s findings from their jointly funded research (TfGM and University of Salford, HEIF) on the implementation of Active Neighbourhoods in the region, with a focus on case studies in Salford, Manchester, Bury and Stockport. The research takes a qualitative approach to understanding lived experiences of Active Neighbourhoods amongst residents and potential residents in order to develop more nuanced understandings than are produced on social media or through news reporting. Using walkalongs, their research found that primary mode of transport for local journeys was an important factor in perceptions of Active Neighbourhoods, with those who walk less likely to perceive benefits in their implementation compared to residents who both walk and cycle. Those who walk considered the benefits of
Active Neighbourhoods to be limited if  pavement conditions were not improved – which remains important even if motor vehicle traffic on the roads is reduced. Whilst social media and news reporting commonly divides people who walk and cycle, in reality everyone who participated in the research, irrespective of whether they cycled or not, wanted improved pedestrian conditions.

https://youtu.be/W1DyKUv9YmA

Strategy for the future of Community Town Centres

NALC The National Association of Local Councils has produced a report on the Strategy for the future of Community Town Centres.

The report can be read by clicking on the link below:

Future of Community Town Centres

Note: There is a short summary from page five on the conclusions of the report, before continuing to the main detailed report.

Voluntary Sector North West

We are pleased to announce that the Society is now a member of the Voluntary Sector North West Organisation (VSNW)
VSNW is a membership organisation that connects to the region’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector through infrastructure organisations, equalities networks and large regional and national providers.
Through local infrastructure organisations and equalities networks they look to support grassroots community organisations that constitute the vast majority of the 30,000 plus groups working in the North West.
Core to their work is their partners and members. They have a membership of over 80 full members and 40 associates who support and engage with VSNW and their mission.
VSNW facilitate key partnerships working in the sub-regions wherever and whenever they can. This includes VS6 operating across Liverpool City Region, the emerging Cheshire and Merseyside VCFSE health and wellbeing Leadership group and the Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group.

REGENT ROAD ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG

As the Regent Road / New Street development nears completion, if you haven’t already done so, click on the link below to see pictures of the Archaeology England Dig in 2020, revealing on this large site the footings of Chapel Street houses other buildings and artifacts unearthed.

Archaeological Dig LINK

TACKLING AIR POLLUTION

The A56 passing North-South through our town has a very poor record for air quality. Air pollution has been linked to a range of serious health problems. The Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan aims to tackle nitrogen oxide emissions from the most polluting vehicles.
The GM Clean Air Plan seeks to upgrade the region’s buses, HGVs. Taxis, and van fleets. There will be an expected £116 million behind the upgrade.
More information can be found at cleanairgm.com.

If you have any comments or suggestions about any of the above, please get in touch via the
CONTACT US page, we would be pleased to hear from you. Or contact your local councillor directly and copy us in.

Last updated   15/01/2024         Refresh pages regularly to see up to date content