Walking and cycling projects across Greater Manchester will get a £13m boost, it was revealed today. And the region will also get a share of an extra £1.5m - together with 18 other local authorities, including Cheshire - for plans to create so-called 'mini-Holland' cycling schemes.
That funding will be used for feasibility studies to assess how areas could be as pedestrian and cycle-friendly as possible, based on the Dutch model of cycle lanes and specific cycling infrastructure.
The Government announced today - Saturday - a windfall of £200m for walking and cycling-based projects across England, designed to spark what it called a 'golden age' for active travel.
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New Government executive agency Active Travel England, led by Chris Boardman, will oversee the delivery of 134 schemes, which include new footways, cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings across 46 local authorities outside London. It's been confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that Greater Manchester will receive £13,050,000, plus the funding for the mini-Holland feasibility studies.
Transport for Greater Manchester has announced details of the planned projects, which will all be subject to consultation.
Manchester:
Alan Turing Way.
This scheme will deliver a road safety improvement where Ashton New Road meets Alan Turing Way, connecting the segregated cycleways on Alan Turing Way, improving links for walking and cycling between the Beswick Active Neighbourhood scheme, the Ashton Canal scheme and the Velodrome.
Fountain Street/High Street.
The creation of a high-quality walking and cycling environment on Fountain Street/High Street in Manchester city centre.
Rochdale:
Castleton (Phase one).
The scheme seeks to improve conditions for walking and cycling through Castleton town centre from Castleton railway station up to the Royal Toby. It will achieve this by providing continuous segregated cycle lanes alongside improved walking and wheeling facilities, including two CYCLOPS junctions and two new pedestrian crossings, and improved public realm.
The scheme has also received funding from the Mayor of Greater Manchester's Challenge Fund.
Salford:
Irwell Street.
This scheme will link Trinity Way to New Bailey and provide connections to the wider City Centre Bee Network – including protected cycleways and signal-controlled crossings.
Oldfield Road.
This will provide protected cycle lanes from Chapel Street towards Regent Road. A CYCLOPS junction will be provided where Oldfield Road meets Liverpool Street to link with segregated cycle lanes to and from Manchester city centre, improving facilities for those walking, wheeling or cycling in the local area.
Tameside:
A57 Crown Point (Phase one).
This scheme will create two CYCLOPS junctions at the Crown Point junction and the A57 Hyde Road/Saxon Street junction. The improved active travel infrastructure will support safer access to services and facilities within Denton town centre and provide health benefits through increased physical activity and reduced dependency on private vehicles.
It was announced in January that former Olympic cycling champion Boardman would leave his role as Greater Manchester's walking and cycling commissioner to lead the new Government body. The windfall in Greater Manchester will go to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority - and all the new routes will form a part of the Bee Network.
The Government said projects would create new routes and improve existing ones, making it easier for people to choose active and green ways of getting around. It's understood the money will also be used to explore more traffic-free city centre streets.
In addition, £35m has been awarded to upgrade 44 off-road sections of the National Cycle Network. The network features routes for walking, cycling and wheeling, which refers to the use of wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Up to £8 million is going towards a new programme to accelerate the uptake of electric bikes through a pilot scheme enabling people to borrow them.
Nineteen authorities such as Nottinghamshire, Hull and Manchester will receive a share of £1.5 million for feasibility studies into so-called mini-Hollands, to assess how the areas could be as pedestrian and cycle-friendly as Dutch cities are. The £200 million is part of a £2bn commitment to active travel announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in July 2020.
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said: "It's brilliant that we have been awarded more funding from government that will allow us to continue delivering high quality, accessible and safe active travel infrastructure across GM. Over the next 12 months we will continue to build on the plans to make active travel the number one choice in our city-region for everyday trips to work, school and the shops, or as part of a longer journey using public transport.”
Transport minister Trudy Harrison said: "This multimillion-pound investment will ensure people right across the country can access cheap, healthy and zero-emission travel. Active Travel England will be working hard to create a new golden age of walking and cycling, enabling everyone to reap the benefits of a more active lifestyle, creating streets where children can play, and making nicer places to live."
Mr Boardman said: "This is all about enabling people to leave their cars at home and enjoy local journeys on foot or by bike. Active Travel England is going to make sure high-quality spaces for cycling, wheeling and walking are delivered across all parts of England, creating better streets, a happier school run and healthier, more pleasant journeys to work and the shops."
