Plans to transform the Fallowfield Loop and make it more family friend have been announced today.
Council chiefs say they are to spend £4.9 million on improvements to the well known off-road walking and cycling route which stretches across Manchester.
Improved entry and exit points plus transformed open spaces, children's play areas and seating along the route are among ideas being considered to give people places to stop and relax and make it more attractive for a day out.
Following the route of a former railway line of the same name, the eight mile route which runs from Chorlton in the south west to Fairfield on the border of Openshaw and Audenshaw in the east of the city is believed to be the longest urban cycleway in the country, running past several parks and transport hubs.
Manchester City Council helped pay for the derelict line's conversion in the late 1990s however the route is mostly owned by charity Sustrans and is promoted and maintained by volunteer group the Friends of the Fallowfield Loop.
There have historically been issues with crime and anti-social behaviour along some parts of the route which passes through Fallowfield, Levenshulme, Reddish and Gorton.
However town hall chiefs say they want to make it "safer, more convenient and accessible" in a bid to encourage its use by people of all ages.
They say they plan to "improve the Loop’s connections to surrounding neighbourhoods, creating a more welcoming and attractive environment with revitalised habitat and landscaping."
Plans have not yet been finalised with the town hall launching a consultation and asking people what their priorities are and what they would like to see as part of the revamp before designs are brought forward.
It is the latest stage of improvements to the Loop with a new footbridge re-connecting the stretch over Hyde Road in Gorton being officially opened to the public this week. The bridge is part of the £5.9 million scheme to widen the A57 at an infamous bottleneck near Debdale Park in Gorton.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) also announced £3.1 million of funding for pop-up cycle lanes to give people an alternative to public transport during the coronavirus pandemic.
Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport, Councillor Angeliki Stogia, said: “We're working to bring forward a series of ambitious projects which will significantly improve the city's cycling and walking infrastructure, helping to change how people in our communities travel and benefiting our neighbourhoods for the long-term future.
"As part of this major investment, it’s time for us to move forward with plans to enhance the Fallowfield Loop.
"We want to create a more attractive, safer route for people walking or cycling across our city, realising the Loop’s true potential and inspiring more people of all ages and abilities to take up active travel.
“But to do this, we need your ideas and feedback, so please make sure you get involved by taking part in our consultation, to help ensure that we design improvements which work for the whole community.”
To have your say on the plans click here.
