GM set for ‘best decade’ in century, Burnham claims
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham claims the region is set for its 'best decade since the Victorian period' as he launched the new 'Greater Manchester Strategy'. The strategy includes plans to tackle the housing crisis, establish five new mayoral development corporations (MDCs) in Bolton, Leigh, Oldham, Ashton and Stalybridge, and Middleton, and improve transport and health services. Key initiatives include making the Bee Network fully electric by 2030, introducing night buses, and reducing smoking rates to below 5%.
Andy Burnham declared Greater Manchester is poised for its “best decade since the Victorian period” as he unveiled the city-region’s new 10-year strategy at Campfield market hall last night.
The mayor told council leaders, transport bosses and business chiefs that housing would be his “number one priority” with a target to reach a tipping point within two years where more social homes are being built than lost through right-to-buy. “It’s about delivering everything we know we can to improve our residents’ lives,” Burnham said.
Five new mayoral development corporations will drive regeneration in Bolton and Leigh town centres, Oldham’s ‘sport town’ project around Oldham Athletic, Ashton and Stalybridge, and Middleton - where comedian Steve Coogan will co-chair the MDC. “We will kick-start a new chapter for the town,” said the Alan Partridge creator, who grew up in Middleton.
Tram-train technology will serve Leigh and Bolton, with plans to extend it to Heywood, while the Bee Network will go fully electric by 2030 including all local rail lines. Night buses will launch this year on the 153 route from Manchester to Bury via Prestwich and the 17 from Manchester to Rochdale via Middleton. Health targets include cutting smoking rates from 12.5% to below 5% and improving waiting times across A&E, GP services, mental health support and operations through the Live Well programme.
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