Stockport in line for walk-ride upgrade this year
The council has received more than £15.9m in funding from the Greater Manchester Mayor to deliver a package of five schemes to improve walking and cycling provision across the borough.
The funding came from the Mayoral Challenge Fund, to which Stockport Council submitted a bid last year. The five planned projects form part of Greater Manchester’s wider Bee Network transport initiative, and work starts this month.
Engineers have already started work to create a signal-controlled parallel crossing on Gillbent Road in Cheadle Hulme, with segregated space for pedestrians and cyclists – the first of its kind in the UK, according to Stockport. This is expected to be the first of the five schemes to be completed, before Christmas.
Another project has begun in the Heatons, marking the start of the Heaton Cycle Links scheme. This aims to create a series of quiet routes for pedestrians and cyclists linking the Manchester Cycleway (Fallowfield Loop) and the Trans-Pennine Trail at Heaton Mersey.
At Harwood Road, path improvement work will start in the coming weeks at Meadows Road, close to the McVities factory, and, in the new year, a pedestrian and cycle crossing will be installed on Didsbury Road in Heaton Mersey and path improvements will start at Nelstrop Road in Heaton Chapel.
The third project aims to create a new walking and cycling link between Offerton and Stockport town centre, including four pedestrian and cycle crossings and improved paths in St Thomas’ Recreation Ground.
The fourth project involves the installation of three pedestrian and cycle crossings on Councillor Lane and Bird Hall Road in Cheadle Hulme.
Finally, the council expects to start on the Bramhall Park to A6 scheme this autumn – a 4.1km route between Simpson’s Corner in Hazel Grove and Bramhall Park. The walk-ride route will link residential areas in Hazel Grove and Bramhall with Hazel Grove Leisure Centre and Hazel Grove High School. It will also link to the pedestrian and cycle path on the A555.
Cllr David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “This council wants Stockport to become pioneers when it comes to cycling and walking routes in Greater Manchester, so it is great news that work is ready to start on our first #BeeNetwork routes.
“During the consultation phase, all these schemes received support, so I can’t wait for them to be finished and open so our residents can experience them.
Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking commissioner, added: “Having listened to public feedback, the council is now delivering schemes residents have said they want, so they can get to work, shops and schools without having to drive.
“These schemes will open up lots of cross-borough routes…and [help] riding and walking become a truly attractive choice for the people of Stockport.”
Your Comments
Great news, more of this please
Seems like good idea Future new look old transformed to new Stockport Design some historic buildings should be preserved even if it mean upgrading over old shells
How about fixing the ,already replaced pavements around Cheadle, they’re atrocious, loose slabs everywhere. Get this right first..Please.
About time we started building cycling infrastructure. The roads won’t hold many more cars.
Sounds great but will all our children in stockport be having 3 meals s day and full stomachs or is your agenda more important
Mill lane resident cars need access under railway bridge not on plans why
Stockport needs a tram network to give a better link to Manchester.
A map of the routes would be interesting to see.
Where is Reddish in all these plans? Left behind as usual.
The bus and cycle lane down the A6 needs urgent work too. Worn out surfaces, sunken grids and deep pot holes cause cyclists to swerve out dangerously. Pleased about the other upgrades though for more pedestrian and cycle routes.
To everyone saying “fix the potholes first”. Given that potholes are caused by roads being over-used by cars, restricting those cars and limiting them to main roads instead of allowing them to rat-run down side streets will save councils millions of £ a year. The age of the car is coming to an end, and it feels brilliant.
Metrolink would be nice please!
Cycle route otterspool I have yet to see anyone using it
“Cycle route otterspool I have yet to see anyone using it”
They’ve seen your driving and they wait till you’ve gone.
Brilliant. Hope to see it rolled out all over the North West.
What about Reddish? It’s like the focus of investment remains in the more affluent areas. Disparagement is so obvious. Go ahead counsellors give yourself a big fat pat on the back.
Metro link too. Would beneficial all round for Stockport
Trams linking Stockport to Didsbury to Manchester would be welcome
The footpaths we have should be repaired before anything else. Cycle and walking lanes are good but please fix footpaths
The decision to go ahead had already been made before consultation period. Residents asked questions and raised concerns but ignored. Money could have been spent on better projects to ensure safety of more people such as pavements