Jonathan Reynolds MP Proudly serving the communities of Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley, Longdendale and Dukinfield
I would like to begin by wishing Reporter readers a Happy New Year. Unfortunately, it has been a challenging start to 2025 for many residents thanks to the heavy rain last week that led to the closure of roads across the constituency and the evacuation of a property in Mossley. A big thank you to Council Officers for their hard work dealing with the effects of the excessive rainfall and rising river levels and for keeping the roads safe during the subsequent snow.
In more positive news for the start of the year, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham work on public control of buses has now come to fruition as Bee Network bus franchising comes to Tameside. Bus franchising means that TfGM, on behalf of the GMCA, contracts with bus operators to deliver services it specifies. Fundamentally the change, which came into effect on 5 January, is about integration, allowing for a London-style transport system that has common and capped pricing across all forms of public transport. This in turn increases passenger numbers, creating more revenue for future services. Greater Manchester has led the way for the whole country on this.
I have also had updates on the Mottram bypass from National Highways, which will begin work in earnest this month with work to prepare for the planned demolitions. This will include surveys, utility disconnections and facilitating road works on Roe Cross Road and Mottram Moor. National Highways wrote to residents directly impacted by the work before Christmas and have promised to keep them regularly updated as the project progresses. I will also share updates on my social media as I receive them. After decades of waiting, it’s great to see spades in the ground.
And finally, it was wonderful to see members of our own community recognised in the King’s New Year’s Honours. Wendy Mackie, managing director and deputy designated safeguarding lead at Works4U, received an MBE for services to Education. This is wonderful news. Works4U Support Services offers life-changing opportunities and support to local young people with learning disabilities or neurodivergence. Wendy is a force of nature as the success at The Lock in Stalybridge shows. Congratulations Wendy!
Congratulations also go to Chris Lyness of Mossley and a governor at Ashton Sixth Form College who was also awarded an MBE for services to Education, and to Joan Todd of Hyde who was awarded an MBE for services to Refugee Resettlement through her work at Manchester City Council.