Fears are mounting that parts of Stockport are 'turning on each other' as ongoing disputes over investment allocations intensify. With major developments taking place across the borough, some communities feel neglected and left out.
Marple's £20m community hub sparks controversy
During a communities and transport committee meeting on June 8, Councillor David White criticised the disparities in Stockport, pointing to the new £20 million hub in Marple. This state-of-the-art facility, due to be completed in autumn, will combine leisure, health, and library services under one roof. Funded through the government's Levelling Up programme and Sport England, it will include a modern library, five-lane swimming pool, 60-station gym, café, and a health clinic.
Coun White expressed frustration: 'How do I explain to the people of Reddish that when we have Levelling Up funding – and I still can't fathom how Marple gets levelling up funding – how that sits with a library that's falling down and buildings with trees growing out the side in Reddish?'
Response from cabinet members
In response, Councillor Dan Oliver, cabinet member for communities, stated: 'I think the key thing at the heart of this isn't about areas turning on each other in Stockport. It was a very specific set of circumstances that led to the Marple community hub securing the money. It was down to the former MP for the area putting that area forward.' He added that the MP covering Reddish at the time had the opportunity to put forward Reddish for the same funding but chose an area of Tameside instead.
Coun Oliver acknowledged the imbalance: 'It's going to be a great building and community hub in Marple. We can't take that away from them but absolutely recognise not every area is seeing that same level of investment and we have to manage that.'
Reddish's concerns
Labour councillor Rachel Wise raised issues in Reddish, including the loss of a community centre due to damp, and called for more investment in buildings like the library. She recently stated that parts of Stockport are not receiving their fair share. Coun Oliver admitted that Reddish library needs investment, noting: 'There are innovative responses to this that will feel like it will bring some pain to a community and that will be challenging but equally what is the end goal with it? What is that positive that we can still deliver a good service through that?'
Tramline extension and rail services
Coun White also pushed for an update on the Didsbury tramline extension into Stockport, after a business case was delayed to September. Councillor Grace Baynham, cabinet member for transport, said the priority is getting the line to Stockport, which 'will open up a raft of opportunities' across the borough. Regarding Bramhall station's lack of Sunday services, Coun Baynham mentioned she has met with Northern Rail multiple times and they have worked with central Government to put an offer on the table, but the issue is held up by a dispute involving train conductors.
