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What does future hold for crash site?

6/ 6/2007

THE two stone memorials to the Stockport Air Disaster could be moved in the near future as part of a £70m redevelopment of Hopes Carr.

Stockport Council has agreed plans with developers, Seddon Regeneration, to move the memorials to a dedicated garden within the site.

The plan provoked outrage when it was announced 12 months ago. But the council claims the proposal will only be progressed after full consultation with survivors, relatives and rescuers.

Currently on the corner of Hopes Carr and Waterloo Road, the memorials would be repositioned at a new site overlooking Hempshaw Valley.

If moved, the new memorial garden would include 'interpretative boards' and seating. A lay-by would also be incorporated at this location to provide ease of access for visitors.

Hopes Carr and Hempshaw Brook Valley have been left largely unchanged since the air crash.

An industrial site since the 19th century, the redevelopment will be the biggest investment the area has ever known.

In recent years, the many vacant industrial units behind the memorials have been plagued with problems such as fly-tipping and arson attacks.

The regeneration project will include 375 apartments, workshops, retail and office space and a new public square.

Work is scheduled to begin in late 2008.