Cycle boost for Trafford

Work to provide more space and protection for people travelling by bike in Trafford has started, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Trafford Council announced today.

When complete, Stretford Cycleway will provide 3.2km of high quality cycling infrastructure on Stretford Road and Talbot Road, including segregated cycle lanes in both directions and improved cycle markings and carriageway surfacing.

The segregation will be provided by Rediweld ‘Wand Orcas’, which combine vertical wands with reflective markings and horizontal rubber modules to further protect cycle lanes from other road traffic.

Other measures set to be improved by the works include traffic signals, bus stops and pedestrian facilities. Bus stop and parking bay bypasses for people on bikes will also be created.

The aim of the scheme is to provide a safer, more segregated environment to encourage those with less confidence to saddle up more often.

Work will be done in two parts, with the first section already underway. The second part will see further improvements made to the West Point junction where the two roads meet. This will include a dedicated cycle phase at the junction that will boost safety by allowing the separation of cycles from motor vehicles.

Trafford Council has also committed to looking at further enhancements at all other junctions to allow the route to meet the design standards set out in Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking infrastructure proposal.

Executive Councillor for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change, Cllr Steve Adshead, said: “This is great news for cyclists; this scheme will significantly enhance the experience for those travelling along one of Greater Manchester's major commuter routes.

“The initiative also supports the Council's commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of our residents. It will hopefully encourage people to be more active while reducing the number of car journeys so that there is a positive impact on air quality in the area.”

Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, added: “Trafford Council deserve praise for committing to looking at enhancing this cycleway even further to make it work better at junctions for people on bikes and on foot.

“We will support Trafford to ensure that the route meets the high standards that will in time give it the full seal of approval.”

Work on the first phase of the project is currently expected to take up to five months to complete and as been strategically timed to try to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and current road users.

Following the £20 million first phase of the Greater Manchester Cycle City programme which is now complete, this second phase involves a £22 million investment in mainly segregated new and improved cycle routes across the region, five new cycle-friendly district centres, and further improvements to cycle parking. It also involves ten new schools joining the Cycle Schools and Colleges project, including Trafford College.

To find out more about the Cycle City programme, visit the TfGM cycling pages.

Chris Boardman launched an innovative new proposal last month to create a city-region-wide cycling and walking network made up of more than 1,000 miles of routes, including 75 miles of Dutch-style segregated bike lanes.

The network will be the largest joined-up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK and has been developed with all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities.