New walking and cycling scheme launches in Trafford

Last week, the Urmston Active Neighbourhood project was launched by One Trafford Partnership at an event which invited local residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders to have their say on designing walking and cycling routes across Urmston (including Flixton, Davyhulme East and Davyhulme West.)

The project is being led by One Trafford Partnership, a collaboration between Trafford Council and Amey, who through the Mayor’s Challenge Fund bidding process will be developing an active neighbourhood across the region, circa £11.3m.

Over 500 people attended the event to have their say on creating proposals for the new scheme. Opening speeches including key aims of the project were delivered by Chris Morris, Director of Highways, Transport and Environment, at Trafford Council, Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Catherine Hynes and Greater Manchester Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman.

The event was also supported by local Ward Councillors, Greater Manchester Police, representatives from local cycling and walking groups and offered a variety of engagement activities:

• Virtual Reality experience by Digital Urban
• Health and Safety tips by Decathlon
• Displays of a cargo and electric bike by Transport for Greater Manchester
• Launch of an online engagement survey via Commonplace

Executive Councillor for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change, Cllr Stephen Adshead, said: 

It was wonderful to see that so many people attended the event to be part of this project which will deliver vast benefits and encourage people in making walking and cycling a natural choice for shorter journeys. This will improve their health, while also improving the air quality in the area.

"The investment plan introduced by the Greater Manchester’s Mayor is a huge opportunity for us to change the way we travel in Trafford. The funding will enable us to work with partners and make infrastructure improvements that are needed for walking and cycling across the region."

This week, Mayor Andy Burnham and Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman launched the Cycling and Walking investment plan; a ten-year delivery plan for the Bee Network, including a call to Government for a funding commitment for the 1,800 mile, £1.5bn network.

So far, in total Trafford has seven schemes in development, which will be delivered as part of the Bee Network over the next ten years. The schemes include a number of new and improved routes and crossings across the borough which will make cycling and walking for shorter journeys easier and safer.

Cycling and Walking Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Chris Boardman, said:

With one-in-three car journeys in Greater Manchester being less than 1 kilometre, it’s clear we have to change. It’s impacting our air, our health and the place we’re expecting our children to grow up, get on and grow old.

“I was blown away by the enthusiasm in Urmston for their first active neighbourhood event. Well done to all involved, it gives us huge motivation to get stuck in and make changes that local residents want to see."

Additional consultation events will be held across the wards in Urmston to further engage with the community on developing proposals for the new scheme.

Have your say by visiting www.urmstonactiveneighbourhoodmap.commonplace.is