Public space improvements to support regeneration of Ashton and Stalybridge

Residents and local businesses are to benefit from improvements that will drive sustainable travel opportunities and long-term growth in Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge.

Tameside Council has accepted £5.8 million from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) for further public space improvement works in local town centres.

The funding was approved in June 2025, and so work has already begun in Stalybridge, while further phases of improvement work in Ashton are due to begin later this year following completion of the new market square.

The investment will fund five schemes designed to improve the look and feel of key town centre locations, making it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel and cycle, while creating better spaces to shop, to come together as a community, attend events, and support local businesses.

Improvements in Ashton-under-Lyne will involve Fletcher Square, Market Street, Market Avenue, and Warrington Street.

The work will provide new paving, seating, planting, and improvements to public spaces, creating a more attractive environment for residents, workers, and visitors.

The scheme builds on the wider regeneration already taking place in Ashton town centre, including the transformation of Ashton Market Square. This work is also linked to the proposals around the Ashton and Stalybridge Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC).

In Stalybridge, the work involves Armentieres Square and Trinity Street. The projects include new paving, lighting, seating, and planting, alongside improved pedestrian crossings, and better connections between key parts of the town centre.

The enhanced spaces will also support community events and activities, helping to bring more people into the town centre and boost footfall for local businesses.

The funding is ring-fenced specifically for town centre and active travel improvements and will help accelerate regeneration plans already underway across both towns.

Tameside Council is continuing to develop plans for other town centres, so they are ready to bid for future Greater Manchester Combined Authority funding for public space improvements when it becomes available.

The investment is expected to support local jobs during delivery and strengthen the long-term appeal of both town centres as places to live, work, shop and spend time.

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity, Cllr Stephen Homer said: “It’s fantastic news that we have the opportunity to invest additional funding into our local town centres to support growth amongst our communities.

“In turn this will allow us to build on the momentum of major developments across Tameside and deliver even more benefits to residents and local businesses, whilst ensuring our town centres are attractive places to visit.”