Stockport Council leader Mark Roberts has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, urging him to repair a hospital that is 'literally falling down' and to provide fair funding for the borough.
Roberts had previously said that on day one of a potential Burnham government, he would send a letter outlining what Stockport needs. Now, two months later and a day after Burnham became Prime Minister on July 20, Roberts has followed through.
Three priorities for Stockport
The letter sets out three priorities: fair funding, an extension of the Metrolink tram network to Stockport, and urgent investment at Stepping Hill Hospital.
Roberts said: 'Stockport is ambitious, well-run and delivering for residents, but we cannot be held back by a funding system that fails to reflect Stockport’s need, areas of deprivation, local population pressures or the cost of essential services.'
Stepping Hill Hospital repair backlog
Liberal Democrat MPs Tom Morrison and Lisa Smart have also written to Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, noting a £138m repair backlog at Stepping Hill. Smart said: 'This repair backlog shows the state of the older buildings – some of which are older than the NHS itself.'
Roberts added: 'Residents and staff should not have to rely on services delivered from ageing, deteriorating buildings that are literally falling down around them.'
Metrolink extension
Roberts argued that Stockport 'is one of the fastest growing in the country and has already done the hard work to prepare for that investment,' including the Stockport Interchange built with help from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority under Burnham.
He concluded: 'Prime Minister, you know Greater Manchester and you know Stockport. You understand the difference that long-term investment, fair devolution and practical delivery can make.'
