Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking network has received a boost following approval of a £12m expansion.
Some five new active travel schemes in Manchester, Salford and Stockport received approval from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) at the end of October and construction work is expected to start before the end of the year.
The new schemes will include the next phase of a stretch between Manchester city centre and Chorlton, a former railway line at Salford Swinton Greenway that features nearly 6km of off-road routes, and a scheme between Stockport to Offerton that will improve four crossings and upgrade an existing off-road path.
Furthermore, the Stockport crossings package will reduce the impact of busy roads on residential areas close to Cheadle Hulme by providing three new crossings for people on foot or bikes. GMCA said these crossings were among the first parallel signalised crossings to be installed in the UK.
The Stockport A6 MARR Links scheme aims to improve walking and cycling connections between the A6 MARR (A555) multi-user path and neighbouring communities.
Cllr David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, said: “Helping deliver clean and public transport is a key priority and our determination to support walking and cycling is at the heart of delivering this.
“We will continue to work with all residents to deliver schemes as part of the Bee Network that can have long-term benefits for everyone; from cleaner air to improved road safety and less congestion.”
The Bee Network extension follows cycling and walking commissioner Chris Boardman’s announcement that around 55 miles of protected cycling and walking routes will be on the ground across Greater Manchester by Christmas 2021.
Broadman said: “During the lockdown, while a huge number of people took to their bikes and enjoyed the quieter roads, Greater Manchester’s councils were working hard behind the scenes to get their cycling and walking proposals ready for delivery.
“These five schemes signify further progress on our commitment to providing safe spaces for the people of Greater Manchester, enabling them to rethink how they make their journeys.
“Many significant schemes will be completed during 2021 and these latest additions will add even more mileage to our Bee Network, enabling an ever-increasing number of Greater Manchester residents to leave the car at home if they choose.”
