Greater Manchester walking and cycling projects to be considered

The latest projects to be built as part of Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking master plan will be considered by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) next week.

Three new projects have today been put forward for funding. If approved, it would see around £5.7 million provided from the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund with a further £15.1 million coming from council contributions.

Proposals include one mile of new footway level cycle track at Trafford Road, Salford, which also includes a parallel walking route and six junctions where cyclists are fully protected from traffic

The latest projects bring the total planned spend on cycling and walking across Greater Manchester to around £67 million.

A total of 24 confirmed projects are expected to deliver 144 new and upgraded crossings and junctions as well as 26 miles of new cycling and walking routes. This includes nine miles of ‘Dutch-style’ cycle lanes that are separated from motor traffic.

Cleaner region

Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “We’ve now got some fantastic schemes in the pipeline and we want to fast-track works as much as possible to kick-start Greater Manchester’s transformation into a cleaner and greener city-region.

“We know that all councils are now working on further schemes and I’d encourage people to keep in touch with their local authority to find out and feed in to what’s planned in their areas. In the New Year, we’ll be publishing the second draft of our network map that will reflect the thousands of comments we’ve had from local people. The map will then be used in collaboration with the districts to help us prioritise future schemes.”

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “I’ve seen the difference that cycling and walking infrastructure makes to cities like Copenhagen and New York. This is about enhancing neighbourhoods so that they work for people, making trips on foot and by bike the most attractive and easy way to travel.

“Well done to all Greater Manchester councils on the schemes proposed so far and we look forward to many more being put forward in the New Year.”

The three new proposed projects are:

Trafford Road, Salford: This scheme features one mile of new footway level cycle track, a parallel walking route, six upgraded junctions where cyclists are fully protected from motor traffic, plus eight bus stop bypasses. The project, which will also provide increased capacity for motor traffic, is expected to cost in the region of £19.8 million with £4.8 million from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, £10.5m from the Government’s Growth Deal and £4.5m from Salford City Council.

Gidlow/Swinley, Wigan: This scheme involves improving on-foot access to the Gidlow/Swinley area north of Wigan town centre and includes around 30 new pedestrian crossing points. The project is expected to cost in the region of £700,000, including a £20,000 contribution from Wigan Council.

Bridgewater canal improvements, Astley, Wigan: The project involves 0.75 miles of surface improvements as well as better access and signage, plugging a vital gap in the Bridgewater Way, Astley area. The project is expected to cost in the region of £250,000, including contributions of £37,000 from Wigan Council and £25,000 from the Bridgewater Canal Company.