Hale Independent Issue 175

FEBRUARY 2025 4 BUS services across Traf- ford have joined the Bee Network as part of the final phase of the roll-out of bus franchising across Greater Manchester. More than 250 bus routes across Trafford, Stockport, Tameside and parts of Man- chester and Salford joined the Bee Network on January 5. The move completed the phased introduction of bus franchising across Greater Manchester. The change means a total of 577 routes and 1,600 buses - accounting for more than 160 million trips per year – are back under local control and accountable to the people and businesses of Greater Man- chester for the first time in almost 40 years. They will play a key role in the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s plan for a fully integrated London-style transport system bringing together buses, trams, walk- ing, cycling and rail services by 2028. DIY retail giant B&Q has revealed plans to open a new outlet in Altrin- cham, replacing the existing Homebase store in Broadheath. It is one of five leasehold stores in the UK currently operating as Homebase that B&Q parent company King- fisher has acquired in a deal worth £2.5million. On completion of the lease assignment, the staff work- ing at the stores will become employees of B&Q. The Altrincham outlet will start to be converted to the B&Q banner this spring with work expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year. Graham Bell, B&Q chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to be buying these five stores, bringing a total of eight additional sites to our fantastic store network in the UK and Ireland. “We’re determined to give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve, and to transform the home improvement stores in these locations to fulfil that need. “It’s a great way to be start- ing 2025! We look forward to swiftly concluding these pur- chases and converting the stores to the B&Q brand and offer, and to welcoming our new customers to the stores and new colleagues to the B&Q family.” BUDDING Bob the build- ers are getting a hands-on introduction to the world of construction. Trafford based firm Galla- way Construction is working to inspire the next generation of engineering and construc- tion professionals by offering engaging, real-world learn- ing experiences. Through a series of inter- active workshops, Gallaway aims to spark the interest of young students in engineering, technology and construction. The workshops feature practical activities, such as circuit board presentations and problem-solving tasks, allowing pupils to engage with engineering concepts in a fun and accessible way. Over the past 12 months more than 310 Trafford young- sters, from ages six to 15, have taken part in the workshops. Schools includingMoorlands Juniors and Manor Academy in Sale, as well as Park Road Academy and Broadheath Pri- mary School in Altrincham have benefitted from the ses- sions, run in partnership with Trafford Council. They have given students the chance to interact with industry professionals and learn about the wide-rang- ing careers available in construction. Renee Preston, Gallaway’s director, said: “The con- struction industry is facing a growing skills gap, with the average age of workers con- tinuing to rise. “Through our Early Talent Programme, we aim to inspire young people to explore careers in the industry by engaging them at an early age. “For older students, we pro- vide valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience and build connections in the industry that can shape their future paths.” NOMINATIONS are now open for the only Greater Manchester-wide awards for the whole health and care workforce. Back for their sixth year, the Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards are organised by NHS Greater Manchester (NHS GM), with support from the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. The awards recognise the paid and unwaged workforce in health and care services across Greater Manchester, including Trafford. Categories include Community Champion, Volun- teer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement, along with a new category for 2025 the Green Initiative of the Year. Nominations across all 14 categories are now open and will close on Tuesday March 11. First established in 2018, last year’s winners included nurses, doctors, social care support workers, a hospital chef, as well as the founder of a bereavement choir support- ing those affected by suicide. Nominations can be com- pleted by anyone who wishes to see an individual or team’s hard work recognised. Nominations will be short- listed in spring and all short- listed finalists will be invited to a sponsored awards cere- mony in July. Sir Richard Leese, chair of NHS GM, said: “This is such a great event for every- one in Greater Manchester to get involved in, whether you have experienced great care or if you work with an indi- vidual or team that go above and beyond. “It is a brilliant way to say a thank you to the people dedicated to our health care services and show them the recognition they deserve”. Mayor of Greater Man- chester, Andy Burnham, said: “I look forward to the awards every year as it’s such a great opportunity to recognise and thank all the people working in health and care, voluntary sector and within communities. “We are so thankful to our health and care workforce who take care of us all when we need it most, even when services can be under a lot of pressure. “It’s a wonderful event to show our appreciation. I hope you can find the time to sub- mit your nominations for any- one who works tirelessly for our health and care services.” Nominations can be made online at: gmintegratedcare. org.uk/championawards MANCHESTER Air - port recorded its busiest December on record with 2.2 million passengers fly- ing into or out in the final month of 2024. The month smashed the previous record set in Decem- ber 2023 by 10 per cent with the busiest day coming on Sunday, December 29, when just under 89,000 people passed through the airport. Despite the record-break- ing numbers, airport bosses say 98 per cent of passengers queued for 15 minutes or less to get to security with three quarters waiting less than five minutes. The most popular destina- tion during December was Amsterdam with more than 110,000 passengers flying to or from the Dutch capital. Amsterdam was followed by Dubai, which is always boosted by large numbers of people who use the Middle Eastern hub to connect to des- tinations like Australia and others across Asia and Africa. Latest performance fig- ures for the airport come as Manchester Airport enters an exciting year during which its £1.3bn decade-long trans- formation programme will be completed. Later this year the airport’s new Terminal 2 will fully open meaning the majority of passengers will use the state- of-the-art facility. The first phase opened in 2022. The second phase will double the size of the termi- nal and includes the addition of more than 25 new shops, bars and restaurants includ- ing Chanel, a Lego Store and the airport’s first Wether- spoon’s pub. It will also add a new secu- rity hall, additional check in Laying the foundations for future engineers Hands on: Some of the youngster getting an insight into construction (Photo credit: Trafford Council) DIY giant makes store move Bee line to better buses Nominate your health and social care champions Airport ends the year on a high desks and an art installation made out of one of the air- port’s iconic chandeliers. Manchester Airport man- aging director Chris Wood- roofe said: “December is always an exciting month at the airport. We’re proud to connect the North and our vital role is never more clear- cut than when we’re helping tens of thousands of people to be reunited with their loved ones for the festive period. “We smashed our December record with 2.2m passengers coming through the airport. It’s particularly pleasing that the vast majority of those passengers – just over three quarters – waited for five min- utes or less to get to security. “It comes at the end of our busiest year on record with more than 30m passengers flying into or out of Manches- ter Airport – and it sets us up for a truly epic 2025.”