Hale Independent Issue 180

JUNE 2025 4 Speaking after the event, festival director Edward Prophet said: “This award means so much to all of us. It’s for all the family - past, present, and future - those who have paved the way and those who continue to create with us every day. “The Brit Fest was built on a dream of bringing peo- ple together through music, celebration, and community. This recognition is for every- one who believed in that dream. Here’s to celebrating family, hard work, and the exciting road ahead.” Anthony Prophet, commer- cial director of Great British Festivals, added: “Winning a Special Judges’ Award among so many incredible businesses is truly humbling. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from the community, our partners, and everyone who has backed The Brit Fest vision. We’re more inspired than ever to keep growing and delivering outstanding experiences for everyone who joins us.” The latest accolade adds to an already impressive list of achievements for Great Brit- ish Festivals and The Brit Fest, including receiving a High Sheriff of Manchester Award for Outstanding Com- munity Contribution. Edward and Anthony Prophet have also been made Freemen of Altrincham by the historic Court Leet for their local impact and com- mitment to the community. A JUDGE has granted a closure order on a Timperley property after local residents’ drugs complaints. The full closure order fol- lowed an application from Trafford Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP). District Judge Hogarth at Manchester Magistrates Court heard there had been clear evidence of drug supply at the maisonette on Marsh- field Road where three police search warrants had previ- ously been executed. On each occasion, items related to the organised sup- ply of controlled drugs from on and near to the premises were found. A partial closure order granted in 2023, per- mitting the tenant to stay in the property, was breached several times. In a statement after the hearing Trafford Council said: “Trafford Council’s community safety team and ward councillors were inun- dated with complaints from local people, citing serious and persistent nuisance, criminal behaviour and fear in the neighbourhood. “Officials and elected mem- bers worked together to pres- ent evidence to the court. The full closure order, aimed at providing relief to local people and stopping criminal activity there, will remain in effect for three months, banning access. The landlord is set to board the house up.” Inspector Colin Dytor of Greater Manchester Police said: “We will continue to tackle the issues that are important to our communi- ties in partnership with Traf- ford Council. “We have tools at our dis- posal to tackle community crime like drug dealing, ASB and theft including the courts, behaviour orders and house closures, and will use them where appropriate. “This action sends a clear message that we will not tol- erate people using properties for serious criminal activity.” fully accessible, as well as capped fares. The plans include creating an all-electric local public transport network with 1,000 new EV buses. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: “This is a game-changing moment that will underpin Greater Manchester’s green growth for years to come. “Building on our strong track record, 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 pub- lic transport system by 2030. “With a pipeline of major transport projects better con- necting our towns and cities, and local rail lines brought into the Bee Network, our communities will be the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel. “Greater Manchester has had a decade of growth faster than the UK average. This funding – together with our devolved decision-making powers – can be the key to unlocking even more growth in the decade to come.” A Trafford Council spokes- person said: “In addition, following concerns raised regarding the width of Bentinck Road, and the vol- ume of traffic using it being unsuitable for two-way traffic, a section of this road will be made one way, as a trial, to alleviate the issue. “The one-way system will start from just north of Sheil- ing Court to its junction with Groby Road, travelling in that direction.” Stephen Adshead, the coun- cil’s executive member for highways, environmental and traded services, added: “The public realm improvement works are continuing the transformation of Altrincham to make the town an even better destination in which to live, work and shop. “The new rain garden will be a superb asset to this part of the town and will help us provide and environmentally friendly solution for sur- plus rainwater. “We aim to keep disruption to residents to a minimum and access will be maintained to all properties during the works. However, there will be the need for some limited road closures to complete the rain garden and residents will be notified in advance.” £2.5bn funding boost for transport Extension: Metrolink expansion plans have been given the green light THE government has unveiled a £2 . 5bil- lion funding boost for transport across Greater Manchester. The funding will support the next phase of the region’s Bee Network expansion, bringing most local rail ser- vices under local control by the end of the decade, extending the Metrolink net- work and delivering further investment in electric buses. The Metrolink project will see the East Didsbury tram line extended into Stockport town centre’s transport inter- change, which has been deliv- ered ‘Metrolink ready’. Local rail lines will be inte- grated with the Bee Network, with Greater Manchester communities the first out- side London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel by the end of the decade. The move will see major improvements to stations, including making more Closure order after drugs complaints Rain garden’s flood prevention mission A NEW eco-friendly ‘rain garden’ is being built in Altrincham as part of widespread public realm improvements to the town centre. The garden will be created on the corner of Groby Road, Bentinck Road and Regent Road to provide a sustaina- ble way to improve drainage and capture rain and surface water to help prevent flooding in the town centre. It will add to the rain gar- dens already installed on Regent Road and Market Street with a range of flowers and planting that will enhance the local environment. The externally-fundedworks will also provide a new crossing point on Regent Road where BentinckRoad andGrobyRoad meet. Work will be completed by the end of August. Festival fun: Last year’s big event (Photo credit: Brit Fest) Brit Fest is a winner Team effort: The Great British Festivals winners (Photo credit Altrincham BID) ORGANISERS of Altrin- cham’s hit family-run festival The Brit Fest are celebrating after being honoured in prestigious business awards. Great British Festivals, received a Special Judges’ Award at the North West Business Awards. The awards, which cele- brate outstanding businesses across the region, are known for their stringent judg- ing criteria. Judges praised the fami- ly-run business for its excep- tional passion, commitment, and vision. The award also highlights The Brit Fest’s rapid growth, influence, and success in the UK live events scene. Having launched just last year, The Brit Fest has quickly become one of the most exciting new music festivals in the North West, drawing thousands of festi- val-goers and delivering a line-up of legendary Brit- ish artists. With its strong community focus, premium facilities, and dedication to creating an inclusive, family-friendly atmosphere, it has already cemented itself as a key event on the UK festival calendar.