UPDATE: Tameside Town Hall has just announced a groundbreaking initiative to transform Denton into a “greener, safer, and more vibrant” town center, with nearly £17 million allocated for improvement works set to begin before March 2026. This ambitious project aims to rejuvenate the area and enhance the quality of life for residents.
The funding comes from the council’s Levelling Up pot, supplemented by contributions from Transport for Greater Manchester. The scheme is designed to create safer active travel routes, providing children with secure pathways to school and introducing new greenery along designated ‘green corridors’.
According to the Tameside Council, this transformative plan has been developed following extensive community engagement, with local residents expressing the need for improved transport, enhanced youth facilities, and more green spaces.
The masterplan, crafted by Planit with input from organizations including Civic, PLACED, Placemarque, and SFP, features a mix of immediate enhancements and longer-term projects. Among the most notable developments, approximately 1.1 kilometers (or 0.7 miles) of new pedestrian and cycle routes will be implemented, along with ‘climate-resilient’ planting along Queen Street and other major thoroughfares.
Immediate improvements, termed ‘quick wins’, will include better connections between Civic Square and Victoria Park by relocating parking bays and introducing rain gardens. Maintenance work at Victoria Park will also enhance the area, featuring updated heritage boards and displays of community artwork to boost civic pride.
In addition to these upgrades, the council plans to modify Manchester Road with traffic calming measures and redesigned road junctions that prioritize pedestrian safety. There are even proposals to create a ‘pocket park’ with new plantings, extend Civic Square, re-imagine Market Street, and develop new public spaces on Queen Street for the Festival Hall.
Deputy leader and executive member for growth, housing and homelessness, Coun Andrew McLaren, emphasized the significance of these plans, stating,
“The plans represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Denton town center. They reflect what residents told us they want, including better public spaces, improved transport links, and a town center that celebrates local identity. It will be great to get these early works underway and see changes happening soon.”
The comprehensive plan will be executed in phases, with completion anticipated by 2028. The council is actively pursuing additional funding to further expand the initiative and fully realize the vision for Denton’s future.
Stay tuned as this significant project unfolds, promising to reshape Denton into a more accessible, vibrant, and community-focused town.
