NEWSLETTER FROM OUR MP SIR GRAHAM BRADY
Click below to read the latest news about the activities of our local MP Graham Brady.
ALTRINCHAM TOWN HALL
LATEST NEWS – Due to the enormous amount of hard work by the Civic Society, Trafford Borough Council has reinstated the Asset of Community Value (ACV) Status to the Town Hall, which will help to secure its future for community use.
Last month Trafford Borough Council were looking for ‘Expressions of Interest’ for the possible leasing of Altrincham Town Hall, as their current limited budget will not support the running costs. We now await the outcome and look forward to working with them to secure the future of the Town Hall.
In a response to the above, Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society have submitted an Expression of Interest.
We know the hospitality sector in the town better than most and will be seeking to set up a partnership with other organisations which will preserve the historic council chamber and save the part of Altrincham Town Hall that remains for community use for many years.
We would welcome suggestions for where else the community groups can meet in a town without resources. Please use the form on the contact us page of this website or email us directly at altrinchamandbowdoncs@gmail.com
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)).
LEISURE CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT – Update 24th December 2021
Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society is in discussions with the council about the future of Altrincham Leisure Centre. We would like to hear from residents about their concerns or suggestions before another consultation begins.
Please use the contact us form on the website or email us direct at altrinchamandbowdoncs@gmail.com
The Society feels the shift to refurbishment rather than a brand new centre is really disappointing, though we understand the financial pressures TL is under. Obviously a lot will depend on what the refit plans look like. They need to be ambitious because the report sees this as the solution for the next 25 years! We’ll particularly want to know if the centre will be closed for the work, and if so for how long.
The report also deals with wider Trafford Leisure provision, so our Planning Lead Paulina will be raising again the lack of wheeled sport provision locally.
We believe Trafford have promised a review of the use of Altrincham Golf Course. Our feeling is that there is space there for improved outdoor leisure facilities alongside the golf, and that this could be a great location for Paulina’s suggested skate park. It is easily accessed by lots of local communities, but away from residential properties who might object.
Manchester Airport Future Airspace Project
We have all shared the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. With international travel severely restricted and passenger numbers down over 99% in the initial phase of the lockdown, this has been a testing year for MAG Manchester Airport, our colleagues, our communities, and the wider aviation industry. Like many other airports, in the UK, the Future Airspace project at Manchester Airport was effectively paused in 2020.
The Government has made it clear that the need for investment to upgrade and modernise the network to address existing constraints, reduce delays for travellers and reduce environmental impacts remains unchanged. We have now restarted the Manchester Airport Future Airspace project and expect that we will deliver our next phase of engagement later in 2021.
Reminder of how far we have come
The airspace process that we, and other airports are following, was introduced in 2017 (and was last amended in March 2021) and is set out in a document called CAP1616 that is published online. On page 18 of CAP1616 the seven-stage, 14 step, process is defined as below:
Manchester Airport issued a ‘Statement of Need’ to the CAA, Step 1A of Stage 1 ‘Define’, in March 2019; the CAA approved, and the change process was started. As part of Step 1B, we produced an information pack on the ‘Design Principles’ and promoted it widely through the community and industry. We also met with elected representatives, held Focus Groups, and provided opportunities to discuss the process, face-to-face, at outreach sessions in August, September, and October 2019. At all sessions and meetings, we encouraged those who were interested to feedback through an online survey on suggested Design Principles.
We evaluated the feedback from Focus Groups and insights from members of the public to produce a set of draft Design Principles that were tested with a further set of Focus Groups. We carefully considered the comments and feedback and produced a set of nine proposed Design Principles. These were sent to the CAA in a report for evaluation. The CAA reviewed our report and proposed Design Principles, and they gave their approval for Manchester Airport to move to Stage 2 of the CAP1616 process. It was at this point that the Manchester Airport Future Airspace project was paused.
Our next steps
We have now started Stage 2 and appointed airspace designers to develop flight path options. Stage 2, like Stage 1, is not a consultation, but we are keen to provide an opportunity for the community and industry to input into the process and help us to ‘Develop and Assess’. Later in 2021 and again in early 2022 we plan to test the first outputs from our airspace designers with the stakeholders we engaged with during Step 1B of Stage 1. We will seek feedback to ensure that we have developed the envelopes with the Design Principles in mind. We will do this by testing the comprehension of the rationale for designs, and the design envelopes, with our stakeholders.
You can keep up to date on the Manchester Airport Future Airspace project through the CAA portal or the page on our own website: www.manchesterairport.co.uk/futureairspace.
Best wishes
Jonathan Challis
Future Airspace Consultation Manager (MAN)
MAG, Olympic House, Manchester, M90 1QX
t: 08000 967 967
e:futureairspace@manairport.co.uk
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
Dunham Massey Welcomes Back Children and Young People
Dunham Massey, our very popular local National Trust site, is committed to championing and empowering children and young people as tomorrow’s leaders for change of the natural environment. They are now opening up their spaces and listening to ideas and concerns from young people to enable them to take action on what they believe in. The aim is to help them become passionate about the environment, to learn new skills, to prepare for employment or education, and take their enthusiasm out into their communities. This is being done through partnerships with school groups, young volunteering opportunities, activities during school holidays and wider engagement with the natural world.
Volunteering Opportunities for 14-18 Year Olds:
Youth Ranger – They will be working as part of a group assisting the ranger team to deliver practical outdoor conservation tasks, both in the parkland at Dunham Massey and beyond the borders. Tasks might include balsam bashing, bracken bruising, tree planting and clearing. Sessions take place on Fridays during school holidays.
Redbrook Rangers – Young people can make a real difference in their communities by getting involved with a new exciting conservation project in Partington. They will get hands on experience of practical outdoor conservation work on the Redbrook Trail with expert guidance from the National Trust. Sessions will take place in Partington one weekend day a month.
How to Apply – visit: http://nationaltrust.org.uk/find-an-opportunity
Email Enquiries: Milly.McArthurGreenall@nationaltrust.org.uk
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.
A Warm Welcome to our New President
We are delighted to announce that our new President is Mrs. Patricia Kovach.
As a long standing local resident Patricia is a member of Altrincham History Society and Altrincham Court Leet. Passionate about local history and the future of our town, she supports Altrincham & Bowdon Civic Society, Bowdon Conservation Group and other local organisations in their quest to preserve local heritage for future generations.
We are certain Patricia will be a great asset to the Society and look forward to working with her on many local issues.
Broadheath Partnership Reconvened
Paul Huxley (Pictured left), Chair of the Partnership, said he was pleased to announce that the Broadheath Partnership had resumed after an enforced ‘covid break’ and are now looking for more stakeholders to join them.Paul said ‘The challenges of Covid and the economic and social impacts it has brought can only be overcome if we all work together. Our focus at the Partnership is to make Broadheath a better place for everyone; business and residents alike.
If you would like to join us please do call me on 07952 495137 or email me at paulgforce@outlook.com.
I am confident that if all parties join forces we can make Broadheath a more cohesive, healthy and happy place for everyone’.
Why not try our Altrincham Heritage Crossword.
For the Crossword CLICK HERE
For the Answers CLICK HERE
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 planned open day for the Regent Road Archaeological Dig cannot take place,
click on the link below to see the footings of Chapel Street & associated area.
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 4th April 2022 Refresh pages regularly to see up to date content
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