GM development zone to become hub for advanced manufacturing

The Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ) will connect the town centres of Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Middleton, Heywood, Radcliffe and Prestwich, with the ambition of creating a hub of world-class facilities for advanced materials, manufacturing and green technologies.

It is hoped that the Zone – which includes existing industrial spaces such as the Northern Gateway, Kingsway Business Park and Stakehill Industrial Estate in Bury, Rochdale and Oldham – will attract world-class businesses and create 20,000 high quality jobs in key industry sectors such as materials and machinery innovation.

It is the latest in a string of exciting industrial developments in the region, such as the planned Advanced Machinery & Productivity Institute (AMPI) in Rochdale, which is expected to become a pivotal centre of excellence in intelligent machinery and robotic systems.

As a designated MDZ, Atom Valley will be delivered through a coordinated strategy led by a dedicated board, with representatives from local and national authorities, central government and the private sector, and chaired by leading economist Paul Ormerod.

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council, said:

“[Atom Valley] is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our residents and our local economy to be really boosted with jobs and opportunities that we hope everyone can share in, from new industries in advanced manufacturing, materials and design, science and innovation.

“We want to make sure that through this new zone we are connecting local people in Bury and across this part of Greater Manchester to those amazing opportunities. “

Cllr Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, added:

“We are now going to be able to work towards giving new opportunities in employment for the residents of the borough, improving their life chances with high-quality, high-skilled jobs with a focus on advanced machinery.

“Our residents will be able to focus on apprenticeships such as in advanced technology and be able to study for T-levels where they can undertake 45-day directly relevant work experience as part of obtaining their qualification.”

To find out more visit atom-valley.co.uk