A temporary walking and cycling route brought in during the first wave of the pandemic is set to be made permanent.
Installed in the summer of 2020, it connects the Heatons with Stockport town centre via quieter back streets, so people don't have to use the busy A6.
It was funded by the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund in order to encourage locals to travel on foot or by bike and avoid overcrowding on public transport.
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Now the council has developed proposals to turn the temporary route into a permanent scheme, in line with it ambition to create a ‘high-quality and fully connected walking and cycling network’.
If approved, the scheme would be funded by the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund (MCF).
Councillor David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: "Stockport is passionate about walking and cycling and we want to ensure residents are informed every step of the way when the team is developing proposals such as this one.
“The Mayor’s Challenge Fund is key to our aim of creating these new walking and cycling links and we want them to help increase the number of our residents who cycle and walk to their destination – whether that be to work, school, or for leisure purposes.”
As with the current temporary scheme, the new proposals focus on delivering 'high quality local connections' on quieter streets.
One of the key features being put forward is a new crossing close to The Elizabethan pub and St Mary's and St Mina's church in Heaton Moor.
In the town centre, the proposed scheme would connect with existing pedestrian and cycling facilities, such as those recently installed on George’s Road and Travis Brow.
It would also link to the Trans Pennine Trail via pedestrian and cycle routes across Junction 1 of the M60.
Richard Nickson, programme director for cycling and walking at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), said the aim was to make travelling on foot or by bike 'a safe and pleasant experience' for everyone in Greater Manchester.
He said: “The proposed improvements in Stockport will make life much easier for people who want to ride, scoot or simply walk for short trips and contributes towards our ambition of creating the largest cycling and walking network in the UK. I’d encourage residents in Stockport to get involved and have their say on these new proposals.”
In addition to the Heatons to Stockport route, TfGM is also consulting on proposals to relocate and upgrade a crossing on Manchester Road in Heaton Chapel, close to the junctions of Bourne Street and All Saints Road.
Stockport residents are now being encouraged to have their say on the proposals.
A public consultation runs until February 13, and can be found here.
