Cycling, walking and wheeling routes around Trafford continue to grow, after two improved junctions opened to the public this week.
The junctions provide a way for cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles to safely travel through the junction whilst remaining segregated from one another, which will improve the safety of all road users.
Leaders from Trafford Council were joined by officers from South Yorkshire Combined Authority and active travel officers from across Greater Manchester, in an event organised by Transport for Greater Manchester to celebrate the opening of the junctions, which are located at the Talbot Road / Chester Road and Talbot Road / Great Stone Road junctions. The group were completing a cycle route from Manchester via Trafford and Salford, to learn more about the active travel schemes in the area.
Also in attendance was Lanky the Giraffe, much-loved mascot of Lancashire Cricket Club, whose location in the heart of Trafford’s civic quarter means they will benefit from the improved active travel infrastructure, as more fans will be able to get to the stadium with ease by cycling or walking.
Trafford Council with the support of Transport for Greater Manchester secured funding from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund to deliver three junctions on Talbot Road. They follow the completion of the Talbot / White City Way junction cycle path earlier this year. This fully segregated cycle path runs from the Trafford Bar Metrolink stop to the heart of Stretford.
The work forms part of Trafford Council’s plan for a North Active Travel Corridor offering residents, commuters and visitors alike the option to ditch the car and travel in a sustainable way, from the M60 Junction 7 through Stretford and along the A56 to Talbot Road and A56 Old Chester Road to the Cornbrook Junction connecting to Manchester.
The active travel improvements are in line with Trafford Council’s ambitious Walking, Cycling and Wheeling Strategy, which aims to allow 90 percent of all journeys under one mile to be made on foot, bike or using wheeled transport such as a wheelchair or scooter.
Councillor Aidan Williams, Executive Member for Climate Change at Trafford Council, commented:
“Thanks to everyone who has worked hard to make the improvements to these junctions. Empowering people in our borough to choose active travel methods like cycling is not only great for the planet but can be really beneficial for physical and mental health and wellbeing too. This programme of works is just one of the schemes we are implementing across Trafford to help all road users travel safely. If you are a Stretford resident, why not try hopping on a bike or walk next time you need to travel around the borough?!”
Richard Nickson, Network Director for Active Travel at Transport for Greater Manchester added:
“We are delighted at the progress that Trafford Council are making on their active travel network. It was fantastic today to demonstrate this to our colleagues from South Yorkshire, who we are supporting as they develop their plans and strategies for their area. Meeting Lanky and the Councillors and Officers from Trafford was a great demonstration of the team ethos we have built with all the local authorities in Greater Manchester.
“As we continue to build the Bee Network, with the amount of safer segregated routes now approaching 120km, it is a really good time to be getting out and about on foot, wheel and bike to experience these changes. When further funding is secured it will enable Trafford Council and other partners to continue to deliver their exciting plans, so we hope that there is even more to come soon.”