Latest news with #StockportCouncil
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major road connecting UK city to see speed limit slashed to 30pmh in days – is your route affected?
ONE of the busiest roads in a major UK city will see its speed limit slashed to 30mph. The huge change will come in just days and is part of the city's plan to slow a surge in crashes involving pedestrians and Advertisement 2 A major UK city is reducing the speed limit on one of its busiest roads (stock) Credit: Alamy 2 The speed limit on Kingsway/A34 is being slashed Credit: Stockport Council The Kingsway/A34 connects the The popular route has a speed limit of 40mph, but plans are underway to slow traffic on the road. A new 30mph zone will run from Mosely Road all the way up to a point which is 83m north of the Manchester/Stockport boundary. The huge change is part of Manchester City Council's plan to make the city's roads safer. Advertisement Read More on Motor News Accidents in the area have doubled since the pandemic, with 58 pedestrians and 18 cyclists being involved in collisions in 2019. Meanwhile, that number of cyclists more than doubled to 41 in 2023 - with 77 pedestrians also being involved in accidents. The number of people killed or seriously injured in road incidents rocketed to 183 in 2023 - up from 122 in 2019. The exact date from which the new speeding limit will be in force has not been confirmed, though it is a permanent change to the speed limit. Advertisement Most read in Motors Exclusive Exclusive It is believed the new speeding limit will be in effect over the coming weeks, with one social media user claiming it will be enforced from July 23. In January, Manchester City Council announced that eight major roads would see their speed limits slashed to 30mph. Incredible plans to tunnel underneath UK city centre for massive train network are unveiled At the time, a council notice said: 'Greater Manchester Police will enforce the new speed limit. 'There will also be temporary signs to remind people of the change for several months. Advertisement 'These temporary signs will be placed at the start of the new 30mph road sections, in locations where previous speed limit signs have all been removed.' However, some residents have claimed that they were not given fair warning ahead of the change. Now, disgruntled residents are taking to Facebook to vent their anger at the new speed limits. One wrote: 'I'm hoping it will calm the speeding down but I doubt it. Advertisement 'We could do with a few more speed cameras.' Another wrote: 'I'm now worried I've been caught previous days going to work as there have been no warning signs of it coming into effect at all.' The news comes after Manchester was West Yorkshire also saw alarmingly high numbers of road accidents, with 215 incidents reported. Advertisement In recent years, the Home Office has said that the number of dangerous driving deaths has seen a three per cent rise from 2021 and 2024. Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, said: 'These figures are a stark reminder of the dangers posed by irresponsible driving. "With more than 4,000 reports of causing deaths by dangerous and careless or inconsiderate driving recorded in the past four years it's clear that greater awareness, enforcement, and driver education are crucial to making our roads safer.'
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Inspectors tell council to improve children's services as demand rises
A council asked to help a neighbouring authority improve its child services has been told by inspectors the effectiveness of its own found concerns in Stockport Council's children's services in areas like support for children experiencing domestic abuse and neglect, and the experiences of those in critical report comes after the council stepped in to help Tameside Council overhaul its struggling children's services last Councillor Wendy Meikle, who is cabinet member for children and families, said the authority had an improvement plan in place and was "determined to meet this challenge head-on". Management oversight was described as "weak in some key areas of front-line practice" and the council's overall effectiveness in children's services was judged to "be below par", the inspection said there had been a continued rise in the demand for children's services, including an "increase in complexity" since Stockport's last inspection in 2022 when it was given a 'good' rating overall. 'Disappointed' Inspectors found in its most recent report that the council's approach to domestic abuse was inconsistent and some social workers did not "understand the complexities relating to coercive control and fear". In some case, they said "safety planning sometimes relies on victims to protect their children from the people who have abused them". "Where the specialist domestic abuse team is co-working with vulnerable families, the response to risk and safety planning is stronger."The council was given a 'good' rating for the experiences and progress of care Council is run by the Liberal Democrats under a minority administration, after it was left under no overall control at the last local leader Mark Roberts said "we're disappointed by the overall judgement" but added the council was "fully committed to addressing the areas for improvement". Councillor Christine Carrigan, leader of the opposition Labour group, said the authority had to act with "urgency and transparency to put things right". 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.
Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Dessert shop owner fined £12k after revolting find as soon as inspectors arrived
Javid Shah, of Dessert Lounge in Stockport, was busted for serving food in disgusting conditions. Food inspectors were left shocked after they found revolting signs of infestation A dessert shop has come under fire after food inspectors discovered a sickening mouse infestation as soon as they walked through the doors. Javid Shah, the owner of Dessert Lounge in Stockport, was slapped with a fine of just under £12,000, for putting his customers at risk. Stockport Council took the businessman to court after he demonstrated "serious failure to protect public health." Shocking images revealed the dire state of the dessert shop, which included mouse droppings sprawled around the floor and cupboards. In one picture, droppings could be seen next to syrup bottles. Inspectors stressed that the infestation was severe and said they had noticed droppings as soon as they entered the shop. They were also found in food packaging and plastic cups. On May 9, Mr Shah pleaded guilty to seven food hygiene offences after the disgusting conditions were found during a routine inspection, reports Manchester Evening News. He was charged with failing to protect food and the premises from pest contamination, not keeping equipment and surfaces clean and disinfected, failing to ensure food packaging was not exposed to contamination, and not maintaining procedures based on HACCP principles. He was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay £7,000 in costs and a £1,400 victim surcharge. In addition to the infestation, inspectors also found an unsatisfactory standard of cleaning across the establishment. This included no effective pest control, as well as people handling food not receiving proper training or supervision. In addition, there was also not an accessible wash basin with hot and cold water, or somewhere for people to hygienically dry their hands. Cllr Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection, said: "The appalling conditions found at Dessert Lounge represent a serious failure to protect public health. "This kind of negligence is completely unacceptable, and we will continue to take strong enforcement action against any business that puts customers at risk. I'm pleased that improvements have now been made, but this prosecution sends a clear message that we will always prioritise the safety of residents and visitors when it comes to food hygiene." Since the legal action the business has taken steps to address the serious concerns which were raised. An inspection has since been carried out on March 4, and the business was awarded a Food Hygiene Rating of four.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- 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.
