Manchester City Council has unveiled ‘ambitious’ plans for a new 5km cycleway, including ‘large sections of segregation’ between cyclists and drivers.
The project, set to be delivered in partnership with Trafford Council and supported by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), has already been allocated an initial grant of £3.9m from the DfT.
Manchester City Council is now working with TfGM and the cycling and walking commissioner for Greater Manchester, Chris Boardman, to secure further funding.
Subject to consultation, the proposed 5km route will link with existing cycle facilities and on to the city centre.
The new cycleway will be designed using examples of best-practice from other cities and will create better areas for cyclists to wait at junctions, with cycle lanes running behind parking bays in many locations.
Improvements will also be made to crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians along the route.
Cllr Angeliki Stogia, Manchester City Council’s executive member for the environment and skills, said: “The proposed Manchester to Chorlton cycleway is a major part of our work to create a network of safe, high-quality cycle routes, promoting cycling as a safer, more accessible option for as many residents as possible.
“Working closely with Chris Boardman and TfGM, we’ve identified the opportunity to secure further funding to allow the scope of the scheme to be widened.
“This would be a huge boost to our efforts to make cycling part of our culture – encouraging more residents to choose to cycle to their schools, shops, work and leisure, while also helping to reduce levels of noise pollution and improve air quality.”
Chris Boardman said: “What was already set to be a good scheme could now be a game-changer that will lead the way and allow more school runs, work trips and leisure outings to be made without cars.
“Most importantly, it would make these journeys enjoyable rather than a chore.”
The consultation on the scheme is set to be held in summer 2018, following the completion of designs.
27 March 2018
5 km is just a mere 3 miles in old money and of that short distance only “large sections” will be segregated to some extent. And this is described as “ambitious”. Across the N sea that would be seen as heavily compromised. Behind parking bays ? with what buffer to avoid doors opening across the path ?
I have seen motorists get out and stand with a door open all the way across a cycle track.
Paul Luton
+1