Second phase of £22m Cycle City project delayed

Construction work on the second round of Cycle City, Manchester’s initiative to improve cycleways to and from the city centre, is unlikely to get under way before April next year, representing a delay of more than four months.

The second phase includes a new cycle path between the city centre and Chorlton. The proposed path was due to also link to southern Chorlton and the Trans Pennine Trail.

The original timetable for the works included design work finishing in summer this year, followed by a consultation in autumn and construction work beginning in winter, ahead of completion between summer and autumn next year.

The second phase also included £1m towards improving cycling infrastructure in the city centre, particularly around the Northern Quarter and connectivity to Piccadilly and Victoria stations.

The route is planned to run parallel to Great Ancoats Street.

However, according to a report to the city council’s executive, which meets next week, there have been changes to the scope of the second phase, with construction work now not due to start until at least April next year.

The report states: “The Cycle City Phase 2 scheme has been reviewed, and the scope of the works has changed. Based on this work it is clear that construction will start in the next financial year.”

The council said a stakeholder consultation was ongoing to “progress detailed design and construction” of the route along Great Ancoats Street.

Overall, the second phase of the scheme was to cost £22m, backed by the government’s £148m Cycle City Ambition Grant. The funding is to be spent across Greater Manchester.

The second phase follows an initial phase which was awarded a grant of £20m from the CCAG in 2013.

Projects already completed under the first phase of the Cycle City scheme include a £1.4m upgrade of cycle paths along the Ashton Canal towpath and links into Ashton town centre, and the Wilmslow Road cycleway.

In a statement to Place North West, Manchester City Council executive member for the environment and skills, Cllr Angeliki Stogia, said: “Following a comprehensive review of Phase 1 of the Manchester element of the Cycle City scheme – the Wilmslow Road cycleway scheme – we are now working on a detailed design for Phase 2.

“Taking into account the feedback of road users and residents is essential, to help ensure that Phase 2 of the scheme builds on the undoubted successes of Phase 1. We will publish project and consultation timescales in due course.”