First projects to kick-start Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking network announced

A host of high-profile cycling and walking schemes and upgrades – set to transform how people travel in every area of Greater Manchester – will be considered by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) next week.

The first 15 projects that will form part of Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking network have been put forward for funding. If approved, it would see around £25 million provided from the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund and a further £4 million funded by Greater Manchester’s district councils and the Department for Transport’s Cycle City Ambition Grant.

All 10 Greater Manchester local authorities stand to benefit from at least one scheme with work beginning by the end of the year.
The proposed projects will deliver 60 new and upgraded crossings and junctions as well as 15 miles of new cycling and walking routes. This includes six miles of Dutch-style cycle lanes that are separated from motor traffic.

Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris 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.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The network will connect every community in Greater Manchester, opening up our neighbourhoods and making it far easier to travel on foot or by bike to school, to the shops, to work.

“It is hugely exciting to see the first of many schemes coming through and the impact will be truly transformational.”
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.

Since launching the first draft of the cycling and walking network map online last month, the mappingGM website has received over 2,000 comments from people across Greater Manchester. A series of public drop-in sessions will be hosted in each local authority over the coming weeks.

Chris Boardman added:
“The public response to the launch has been simply overwhelming. It has reinforced what we already knew; this is something that the people of Greater Manchester want. We are reclaiming streets so that they work for people first – just like we’ve seen many great cities around the world do – and we are ready to reap all of the benefits that come with it.

“We’re still a few months away from starting construction of the first completed route and it is crucial that we keep getting feedback from people in every area of Greater Manchester to help inform the plans as they evolve.”

The first draft of the network will remain open for comments on the www.mappingGM.org.uk/Beelines platform until the end of September. Comments will then be used to inform the second draft of the map which will be published later this year.

Update - Metrolink Eccles line – Temporary closure

Dear recipient

Metrolink Eccles line – Temporary closure for upcoming Trafford Park Metrolink line construction and Eccles line maintenance works

I am writing to update you regarding the above work taking place when the Eccles Metrolink line including the MediaCityUK stop will close, with no tram services running between Cornbrook and Eccles from Saturday 28 July to Thursday 9 August 2018 inclusive.

A full replacement bus service will be in operation for Metrolink passengers.

The closure is to accommodate works at Pomona in preparation for the next phase of construction of the new Trafford Park Metrolink line. During the closure, we will also be working with the Metrolink operator KAM and other partners to carry out additional enhancement works at Metrolink stops and at other locations along the Eccles route. All works are scheduled to take place during the same closure to minimise disruption for customers, local residents and businesses.

Please click here to access a copy of the letter sent to residents and businesses along the Eccles line, for your information.

In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding the works, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0161 244 1555 or email at MetrolinkTPL@tfgm.com. Information can also be found at Metrolink Eccles Line Closure.

Kind regards

Angela Forster

Senior Communications Officer

Transport for Greater Manchester

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.

Are you ready for the match?

Can you believe it? England take on Croatia tomorrow in the World Cup semi-final!

A live screening of the fixture will take place at Castlefield Bowl for 8,000 people, with a number of other large showings across the city including at Victoria Warehouse and Albert Hall.

We anticipate a large number of people travelling in and out of the city, by road and on public transport.

It is expected that rail and bus routes, as well as trams and roads will be busier as passengers alter journey plans. 

Journey times are expected to be longer as well, particularly in the evening peak which is expected to start at 3pm.

We strongly advise if you can travel prior to 3pm on this date, do so. Consider retiming your journey and avoiding the affected areas when planning ahead.

We hope you enjoy the match wherever you watch it!

Metrolink Trafford Park Line - Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders - Parkway Circle

Dear recipient

 Metrolink Trafford Park Line – Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders – Parkway Circle

 Please note ALL of these road closures will take place overnight – 8pm to 6am

 We have written to you previously about Trafford Park Line Metrolink works taking place in your area. This email is in regard to the next and final stage of works on various roads leading to and from Parkway Circle.

A range of Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) will be brought into force from 23 July through to approximately 18 Aug 18.

The work is to enable the permanent carriageway surfacing to be undertaken around Parkway Circle and the roads immediately approaching and leaving the roundabout. This work will see the substantial completion of the works to bring into use the permanent highway arrangements associated with the Trafford Park Line extension immediately around Parkway Circle, including the introduction of the signalised junctions.

The remaining works, including the construction of the smaller traffic islands, will be carried out in a number of phases (detailed below) to minimise disruption to traffic as far as possible.

Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders – Parkway Circle - Details:

 Phase 1

From 23 July - for nine to eleven nights (8pm to 6am)

 1.       Parkway overnight closure of both carriageways (Ref TPL0065 click to view).

2.       Westinghouse Road ‘one-way’ working southbound from Parkway Circle to Warren Road (Ref TPL0066 click to view).

3.       Ashburton Road West ‘one-way’ working from Longbridge Road to Parkway Circle (Ref TPL0067 click to view).

 Phase 2

From 1 or 3 Aug (on completion of the above works) – for eight to ten nights (8pm to 6am)

 1.       Parkway closure of the north-east bound carriageway (Ref TPL0068 click to view).

2.       Ashburton Road West ‘one-way’ working towards Parkway Circle with a prescribed left turn into Tenax Road. NB Access onto Parkway Circle will not be permissible (Ref TPL0069 click to view).

3.       Parkway circulatory carriageway closure with a prescribed left turn from Tenax Road into Village Way (Ref TPL0070 click to view).

Westinghouse Road ‘one-way’ working between Warren Road and Parkway Circle with access only onto Parkway. NB Access onto Parkway Circle will not be permissible (Ref TPL0072 attached).

 Phase 3a

From 9 or 13 Aug (on completion of the above works) – for one or two nights (8pm to 6am)

1.       Ashburton Road West ‘one-way’ northbound from Parkway Circle to Longbridge Road and Tenax Road and ‘one-way’ southbound from Tenax Circle to Parkway Circle.

NB Access to premises on the northbound carriageway of Tenax Road will be maintained where necessary via Tenax Circle. (Ref TPL0073a click to view).

 Phase 3b

From 10 or 16 Aug (on completion of the above works) for one or two nights (8pm to 6am)

 1.       Village Way closure between Parkway Circle and Mosely Road (Ref TPL0071 click to view).

Tenax Road ‘one-way’ northbound from Parkway Circle to Tenax Circle.

NB Egress from premises on the southbound carriageway of Tenax Road will be maintained, where necessary, via Tenax Circle (Ref TPL0073b click to view).

 Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) will be set up in key locations to provide driver information and temporary diversion routes that will be required are included in the attached/enclosed temporary traffic regulation order notices

We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time.

If you have any family, friends, co-workers who you feel would benefit from being kept up to date with the project works, please forward the website details www.tfgm.com/MetrolinkTPL on to them where they can sign up to receive regular updates.

TfGM will continue to engage with stakeholders along the route and will provide further information as we progress. In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding the scheme or if you would like to arrange a meeting, please contact either me or a member of the Metrolink team on 0161 244 1555 or email MetrolinkTPL@tfgm.com

Kind Regards

Angela Forster

Senior Communications Officer

Transport for Greater Manchester

​​​​​​​Metrolink - Trafford Park Line – Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders

Dear Recipient

Metrolink Trafford Park Line – Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders

We have written to you previously about Trafford Park Line Metrolink works taking place in your area. This letter is in regards to the next stage of works at various sites in the area (listed below). The work is mainly to improve the highways and includes carriageway surfacing work, safety improvements and repairs.

A variety of Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) will be brought into force from the end of June 2018.

Details are included here:

1. 30 June – Village Way will be closed overnight (10pm Saturday to 6am Sunday) for one night, between Parkway Circle and Fifth Avenue. The closure is to enable repairs to be made to manhole covers and frames that are in the carriageway. Ref TPL00063 click here to view.
2. 2 July – There will be one way working on Ashburton Road West – from Parkway Circle to Longbridge Road, in a northerly direction for a total of three weeks. The one way working is required to facilitate the construction of traffic islands for traffic signals on Parkway Circle. It will remain in place until surfacing works begin in this area. Ref TPL00062 click here to view.
3. 6 July –A 20mph speed limit will be introduced on Warren Bruce Road and Trafford Wharf Road through the roadworks. The speed limit will be in place for 12 month in order to encourage the safe movement of traffic through the roadworks and improve the safety of the workforce in the adjacent work site. Please heed the ‘give-way’ at the junction of Warren Bruce Road onto Trafford Wharf Road. This is required as there is reduced visibility of the oncoming traffic at this site. Ref TPL0064 click here to view.
4. 14 July - Praed Road will be closed at its junction with Village Way for two weeks. This is to enable the required highway improvement works to be undertaken at this junction. Ref TPL0075 click here to view.
5. 14 July - Mosley Road, south of Village Way, will be one way from Village Way for a distance of 100m in a southerly direction, and Mosley Road, north of Village Way, a prescribed left turn from Mosley Road onto Village Way. This will be in place for 18 months. The restrictions are required to facilitate the highway improvement works at the junction, whilst maintaining highway safety until such time the new traffic signals are installed. Ref TPL0074 click here to view.
6. 28 July – There will be a road closure at Pomona Strand for two weeks. The closure is required to allow the installation of a bridge deck structure that will link the Trafford Park Line extension to the existing Metrolink network at the Pomona Stop. Ref TPL0061 click here to view.

Suggested diversion routes are included in the attached/enclosed temporary traffic regulation order notices.

Next week, we will provide details of overnight closures planned for parts of Parkway Circle and roads leading to and from this roundabout from 23 July – 18 August*. This is to enable carriageway surfacing and lining works to take place before the final highway layout opens in late August 2018. This work will be undertaken in phases to minimise any disruption and road closures will be in operation overnight from 8pm to 6am. *dates are indicative at this stage tbc in next week’s email.

We appreciate your patience during the construction of the Trafford Park Line.

TfGM will continue to engage with stakeholders along the route and will provide further information as we progress. In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding the scheme or if you would like to arrange a meeting, please contact either me or a member of the Metrolink team on 0161 244 1555 or email MetrolinkTPL@tfgm.com.   

Kind Regards

Angela Forster

Senior Communications Officer

Transport for Greater Manchester