Mark Hunter - Congestion Charge, Tatton Cinema and Post Office Closure
| Published: 16th July 2008 16:44 |
Hi everyone, and thank you for taking the time to log on to read my most recent column.
Post Office closures and the Greater Manchester Congestion Charge are the key issues currently dominating my postbag, and not surprisingly local people have strong views on both! Most people I know are appalled that the Government want to close another 2,500 local Post Offices on top of the 7,500 already closed by previous Conservative and Labour Governments. In our own area, the High Grove Post Office on Silverdale Road in Gatley is just one of eleven they want to close across Stockport.
I'm busy campaigning to oppose these Post Office closures and I've already presented a huge petition to 10 Downing Street in protest. I'm also still collecting signatures on the petition so if you've not signed yet, make sure you do! Just a few weeks ago I joined Liberal Democrat MPs and Councillors from across Greater Manchester in launching a area-wide petition by demonstrating against the plans and asking local residents to sign up to show their support. If you'd like to add your own protest and help keep our Post Offices open, please contact my office on 0161-486-1359, or write to 3 Gillbent Road, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 7LE. We only have until July 21st to make our views known.
Another huge issue right across our area is the Greater Manchester Congestion Charge. I firmly believe that this scheme is bad news for local residents and should be opposed, and I have made my views clear both locally and in Parliament. We won't see any of the improvements to public transport that areas inside the outer congestion charging ring are receiving, yet because we live outside the zone we will be paying for these improvements - up to £5 every time we enter Manchester City Centre. Although I think it likely a future Government will probably introduce a national road charging scheme - at least for motorways and trunk roads - within the next few years, Manchester shouldn't be treated as a trial run for this project. Our area is still waiting for transport improvements that were promised to residents years ago - the A555 Relief Road and Metrolink extension still haven't appeared and until they do why should we accept a congestion charge?
Many of you will also be aware of the controversial planning application for the Tatton Cinema recently submitted to the Town Hall. Having looked at the details myself I've found the design details to be disappointing not least because they don't protect the frontage of the building - which of course is a well known local landmark. The current plan is for a combined development of residential accommodation for older people at the rear of the site and a convenience store at the front. Clearly there are a number of issues of concern including parking and the potential impact on local businesses. However, I remain anxious that if this particular development is rejected by the Council, the developer - especially in the current economic climate - might choose to walk away as has happened with previous owners. The key question is - would you rather see the Council turn down this less than perfect application or would you rather see the proposed development go ahead if only to deal with a long standing derelict site? Please if you have any views at all on this write to the Planning Department at the Town Hall before the deadline of the 29th July. It would also be useful if you would copy me into any letter you might send so that I can also be kept aware of your views
What do you think?
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Joined: 11 Jun 2008Posts: 6
Posts: 45
Joined: 29 May 2007Posts: 3
And as for the valuable boost to local trade? do me a favour! A supermarket on that site will lead to a fall in footfall and profits of local small businesses.
I say we wait for a better solution, we've waited this long why rush into the wrong solution just to get rid of a derelict site?
Joined: 30 Jun 2008Posts: 14
Joined: 29 May 2007Posts: 3
That’s the million-dollar question! My point is just because it's the only solution currently on the table doesn't mean we should except it.
I think any development that retains the character of the village (keeping the cinema frontage, 2 story rather than 3, and without the need to line the pockets of the already dominant supermarket chains in this country) would be better.
Any solution on that site is going to have it's problems because Gatley has no parking and unless provision is made within the plans (which on this occasion it hasn't) we will see the problems of street parking and inconvenience to local residents increase.
Sadly the likely hood is these plans will go through and we will have to deal with the consequences
Posts: 14