Steve Coogan to lead regeneration of hometown

Comedian Steve Coogan has said he plans to "put back into a community that was very good to me" after being chosen to lead the regeneration of his hometown in Greater Manchester.

The Academy Award-nominated and Bafta-winning star has been announced as co-chairman of Middleton's mayoral development corporation, a statutory body given extra powers to speed up development and attract investment within a specific area.

His appointment was announced by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham alongside five other such bodies designed to boost growth in the region.

Coogan said Middleton was a town "really rich in history, the history of people power" and was a "great place to grow up".

Coogan, who is most famous for his portrayal of inept radio and TV star Alan Partridge and starred in the Night At The Museum and Despicable Me film franchises, who grew up in the Alkrington area of the town.

"I feel I owe the people of Middleton a debt. That's why I'm happy to be involved and talk to people in Middleton and ask them what they want and what they need," he said.

He will work with Rochdale Council on proposals including restoring Middleton Arena, regenerating the town gardens and bringing the Metrolink tram network to the town.

Burnham also announced former British Olympic champion Lord Coe will chair a newly-established MDC for the regeneration of Old Trafford, including the development of Manchester United's new home stadium.

The corporations, which have been set up by the mayor, have the ability to buy land, plan projects and work with businesses.

Lord Coe said sports-led regeneration projects fostered strong communities and acted "as a catalyst for economic growth".

"Twenty years on from securing the Olympic and Paralympic Games for this country, I'm ready to help deliver a vision of equal scale and ambition," he said.

Trafford Council has estimated the regeneration of the area could bring 15,000 new homes, 48,000 new jobs and inject more than £4bn to the economy.

As well as Middleton and Old Trafford, another corporation has been established for Bolton, aimed at accelerating the proposed "Atom Valley" scheme, and another has been created for Ashton and Stalybridge for a transport-led regeneration project.

A Greater Manchester Combined Authority spokesman said the projects would create tens of thousands of new jobs and deliver thousands of new homes, as well as new manufacturing sites and commercial spaces.

Other pledges made by Burnham in the strategy include the introduction of half-price bus travel for 18-21 year olds from September and a free 24-hour bus travel pilot program for older and disabled people to begin in August.

A new tram stop to service new homes in Victoria North, the extension of Metrolink to Stockport and commuter lines being brought into the Bee Network have also been included.

Burnham also said he would also ask Transport for Greater Manchester to "look at options" for underground tram and train services at Manchester Piccadilly station.

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