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Page 2 January 2025 AD SALES 01204 478812 No part of this publication may 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 published monthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate, Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. Tel. 01204 478812 EDITOR: Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING : JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CLASSIFIEDS : Teresa Bond 01204 478812 teresa@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE IN THE INDEPENDENT CONTACT OUR TEAM ON 01204 478812 CHE A PER a nd simpler bus fares have been intro- d u c e d a c r o s s Greater Manchester. The city region has now brought all its buses under local con- trol through its Bee Network initiative. As a result, a new fare structure – aimed at being easier to under- stand and cheaper for all passengers – has been launched All single fares on any Bee Network bus cost just £2 for adults and £1 for children, despite the national cap rising to £3. Every single fare has also become a ‘hopper’, meaning passengers can use the ticket to ‘hop on’ as many Bee Network buses as they like within one hour of purchase. Unlimited travel on all Bee Network buses has become cheaper and a new Bee Bus Annual Ticket has been launched which will provide unlimited bus travel for just £2.20 a day. The simpler fare structure across all buses has been possible PROPOSALS to redevelop Hey- wood’s Peine Square as part of the wider multi-million pound redevelopment of the area have been submitted for plan- ning approval. The plans aim to transform the area in front of Heywood Civic Centre into a stunning public area where peo- ple can spend time and relax and which can also double up as an events space. The proposals include the creation of new green spaces and a variety of seats for peo- ple of all ages and abil- ities, including tiered seating, encouraging community interaction and doubling up as a performance space. Different types of plants will encourage wildlife and informa- tion boards will provide learning opportunities, while informal play ele- ments for children will also be incorporated into the design. Put together by A lt r i ncham-based Landscape Architects, Planit, alongside the council and Rochdale Development Agency, the plans would also incorporate a power supply, so the space can be used for a variety of events, like markets and mini performances. The proposals are part of the wider multi-million pound investment into Hey- wood which includes the revamp of the civic centre. The planning appli- cation follows a number of public engagement sessions earlier this year with local people and businesses. People were par- ticularly keen on more open space with the infrastructure to hold events, while retain- ing pockets of green spaces and trees was also a high priority for respondents. The civic centre, which is located on the square, is currently undergoing a major revamp, which will include an extension at the front, a new bar, new seating, lighting and sound. The well-loved cul- tural venue will also be made much more accessible as part of the project, which is being funded by Arts Coun- cil England, Rochdale Council and Your Trust. Danny Meredith, council cabinet mem- ber for regeneration and housing, said: “Peine Square is an important area in the heart of Heywood, but it feels a little unloved at the moment. “That’s why these proposals have been put together to transform Square plans shape up ‘Unloved’ area to get a facelift Revamp: An artist’s impression of the redeveloped square (Photo credit: Rochdale Council) this space into a vibrant area which will serve as a focal point for the com- munity and as a space where fantastic events can be staged. “Together with the ongoing work to com- pletely revamp Hey- wood Civic Centre, these improvements will trans- form this key part of the town centre as part of our wider masterplan for this area.” Angela Brown, who chairs the Heywood Township, added: “Peine Square is at the heart of the town centre and a key public space that connects Heywood’s many different areas. “These plans, if taken forward, will make it a more attractive place which can a play a much bigger role in the town, as part of the wider revamp of the civic cen- tre itself.” Passengers are buzzing over fare changes thanks to Greater Man- chester adopting a fran- chising model, a process that started last year in the Bolton area. Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burn- ham, said: “Our mission, when we set out to build the Bee Network, was to make getting around Greater Manchester eas- ier, cheaper and more reliable. Doing so will mean we connect people to education, jobs and each other like never before. We’re sticking to that promise. “We’re cutting the price of travel to get more people on board and putting an end to the complicated and disjointed tickets that people have previously struggled with.” Next up will be the launch of contactless payments across both Bee Network buses and trams which will happen in March. Greater Manchester is also turning its atten- tion to rail, with plans to also bring eight com- muter lines into the Bee Network by 2028, with more by 2030.