First 15 projects announced as Greater Manchester gets to work on cycling and walking network

The first 15 projects have been announced as Greater Manchester embarks on its quest to build the largest cycling and walking network in the UK.

Last month Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, unveiled long-term plans for 1,000 miles of ‘Beeline’ cycle routes, including 75 miles of segregated lanes.

The first 15 projects have now been put forward for funding. If approved, it £25 million would be provided from the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund and a further £4 million from Greater Manchester’s district councils and the Department for Transport’s Cycle City Ambition Grant.

The schemes span all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities with work due to begin by the end of the year.

Boardman said: “We asked Greater Manchester’s 10 local authorities to hit the ground running and they’ve been able to turn these first proposed projects around very quickly. This is a real achievement in itself and will help us to keep up momentum on transforming the city-region into a better place to be.

“The list of proposed projects announced today is the first of many for each local authority and we hope to publish the next list in the coming weeks. One thing we won’t compromise on is quality; we’re working closely with all 10 local authorities to ensure that every single project on this list meets a tough set of design standards. Only by doing this will we enable thousands more people to consider making more trips on foot or by bike.”

The Manchester Evening News reports that there will be six miles of full segregation in the 15 projects, 3.5 of which will be on the Chorlton route.

The 15 proposed projects are:

• B6226 Bolton: This project will provide a high quality walking and cycling route to the town centre, running parallel to the much busier Chorley Old Road. The project includes signed quiet routes, improved crossings and routes through parks and public spaces. The project is expected to cost in the region of £1.5 million.
• 16 new and upgraded crossings and junctions in Bury: This project will deliver a mix of new and upgraded junctions at key locations. The project is expected to cost in the region of £2.6 million.
• Cycle parking facilities on the Bury Metrolink line: Covered Sheffield stands with lighting and CCTV will be installed in highly visible and accessible locations at nine stops. The project is expected to cost in the region of £1.2 million.
• Chorlton cycleway: This scheme will provide a high quality, segregated cycling route between Chorlton and Manchester city centre and will also significantly enhance the facilities for people travelling on foot. With £3.9 million already secured from existing Cycle City Ambition Grant funding, this scheme will benefit from a further £9.5 million additional contribution from the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund. The total cost of the project is expected to cost in the region of £13.4 million.
• King Street bridge refurbishment, Oldham: Complete refurbishment of an existing pedestrian and cycle bridge, providing a key link into Oldham town centre from a number of residential areas to the south. The project is expected to cost in the region of £650,000.
• Union Street West bridge refurbishment, Oldham: The bridge has already been the subject of a partial refurbishment. This project will see the refurbishment completed, providing a replacement bridge deck surface to ensure the best possible level of service for users. The project is expected to cost in the region of £200,000.
• Castleton to Rochdale town centre: The project will provide a major enhancement to the high street in the local centre in Castleton including high quality, dedicated facilities for walking and cycling, and improved access to Castleton station. The project is expected to cost in the region of £1.2 million.
• Junctions in Swinton and Walkden, Salford: This project will provide an additional £1.1 million enhancement from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, to existing proposed improvements as part of the Local Growth Deal Salford Bolton Improvement Programme at two key junctions.
• Junction enhancement at Broad Street / Frederick Road, Salford: Similarly, this project will enable additional major enhancements, to a value of £600,000 for people travelling by bike or on foot at a major junction along the A6 that was already due to be upgraded as part of the Local Growth Deal Salford Bolton Network Improvement Programme.
• Chapel Street East, Salford: This scheme is the first stage of a complete transformation of Chapel Street East. It will provide protected 2 metre-wide cycle tracks in each direction and priority for pedestrians and cyclists at side roads. It will set a new standard for cycling and walking provision in Salford, acting as a pilot project to demonstrate how a street can be transformed. The project is expected to cost in the region of £4.3 million with £500,000 committed by Salford City Council and £3.8 million from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund.
• Gillbent Road crossing update, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport: This scheme provides an enhanced crossing for people travelling by bike and on foot in Cheadle Hulme. It will better connect residential areas, including access to Thorn Grove Primary School. The project is expected to cost in the region of £110,000.
• Brinnington to Stockport town centre walking and cycling route: Linking to improvements taking place across Stockport through the Town Centre Access Plan (TCAP), this project will involve enhancing a key walking and cycling route, including upgrading a footpath to bridleway status as well as the refurbishment of an existing M60 underpass with new lighting and resurfacing. The project is expected to cost in the region of £450,000.
• New routes and filtered neighbourhoods in Tameside: This project involves a package of improvements such as creating filtered neighbourhoods where people are prioritised over cars. Upgrades will also be made to traffic free routes and segregated facilities will be provided for bikes on more major roads. The project is expected to cost in the region of £500,000.
• Talbot Road; White City Way to Seymour Grove, Trafford: This project involves upgrading this stretch of Talbot Road, enabling a consistent level of service for people travelling by bike or on foot. This ties in with existing work taking place to improve the cycling route along Talbot Road. The project is expected to cost in the region of £250,000.
• Victoria Street / Warrington road junction, Wigan: This scheme extends the innovative Saddle Junction cycle facility, which is under construction, to the southwest with further high quality cycling and walking infrastructure connecting with Alexandra Park. The project is expected to cost in the region of £700,000.