Your Local Independent 195

Page 2 June 2025 AD SALES 01204 478812 Safety first at crossing A NEW crossing has been unveiled close to three schools as part of a £1.9million investment into improving road safety across Rochdale. The new crossing spans the busy Shawclough Road, close to Shawclough and Healey primary schools and Falinge Park second- ary school. And in a change from the usual facilities, oy will also cater for horses, as well as walkers, cyclists and wheel- chair users. This facility is known as a Pegasus crossing and is only the third of its type in the borough. As well as supporting local schoolchildren, the crossing provides easy access into the Healey Dell Nature Reserve, a hugely popular local beauty spot, enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors each year. Other improvements have also been made in addition to the crossing, which has been funded by Transport for Greater Manchester. Work has taken place on a forest path which con- nects Cronkeyshaw Com- mon in Fieldhouse Road to the new crossing in Shaw- clough Road. A section of the path has been split into two separate sections where it meets the new crossing, one for horse riders and one for cyclists and pedestrians. This path is part of the history of the area, having previously been the route of the Rochdale to Bacup rail- way line, which operated until 1949 and carried coal trains into the 1960s. A new pathway has also been created on the Dell Road side, to enable peo- ple on foot or bike to access Healey Dell without having to go via the busy junction of Dell Road and Shawclough Road, which is often busy with cars. Vikki Rayment, deputy head of Shawclough Primary, welcomed the new crossing. She said: “This will encour- age children to walk, cycle or scooter, which brings huge health benefits for them. “It will also encourage our pupils to visit the Dell with their parents or carers in their own time and brings the added benefit of boosting road safety, which is something we always teach children about in class.” The crossing is the first of a number of new crossings, funded by Transport for Greater Manchester, which will be installed across the borough this year. Middleton’s crossing, in Oldham Road, close to War- wick Mill, will be complete shortly and work to create a new crossing over Halifax Road, close to Smallbridge Library, is now on site. Schemes in Heywood and Kirkholt will get under way later in the year. ANDY Burnham, the mayor of Greater Man- chester, visited Holling- wor th Academy in Milnrow to see how it is helping to shape the future Janet is the new first citizen Audience: More than 300 guests attended the ceremony (Photo credit: Rochdale Council) Civic pride: Newmayor Janet Emsley with consort Ken Emsley Shaping future skills of education and technical skills through its pioneer- ing work on the Manches- ter Baccalaureate. The academy is a flagship school in the rollout of the MBacc, actively contributing to shaping this important regional initiative. Its involvement includes playing a key role in testing how school-based learning can align with employability and progression into a range of careers. During his visit Mr Burn- ham met with pupils and staff and observed vocational learning in action. Headteacher Rober t McGinty said: “Our involve- ment in shaping the MBacc is more than a badge of honour. It’s a reflection of our values — raising aspirations, unlock- ing opportunities, and making futures brighter.” THE borough of Rochdale welcomed its new mayor as Councillor Janet Ems- ley was sworn in to office during a special ceremony at the town hall. The event was attended by former mayors, deputy lieutenants as well as other distinguished guests and com- munity leaders. The watched departing mayor Cllr Shakil Ahmed, mayoress Robina Bi and consort Cllr Rachel Massey handed over their chains of office. The event began with a rousing fanfare by War- dle Academy Intermediate Brass Band. A short blessing was read by the Reverend Anne Gil- bert after Cllr Emsley made a declaration, accepting may- oral office. After receiving her chain, the new mayor said words of thanks to a packed audience of more than 300 people. She said: “I am honoured and so proud to be with you at our fabulous town hall – built as a symbol of civic pride, which is what Ken and I want to share during the year ahead. “I’m very proud to become the eleventh female mayor of my hometown, during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. Thank you to my husband Ken and to all my family for their support, along with my colleagues on the council. We are looking for- ward to promoting the borough at every opportunity, meeting as many people as we can.” The mayor’s charity appeal will raise funds for Sprin- ghill Hospice, Jolly Josh, Awakening Minds, Papyrus, Women’s Housing Action Group and the Johnny Alfrey Music Memorial. No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2025. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING Jayne Meadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CLASSIFIEDS Teresa Bond 01204 478812 teresa@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US