Council starts work on latest active travel scheme

Trafford Council has started work on its latest scheme to promote active travel across the borough.

The Council is installing new cycleways, pathways, smart traffic lights and upgrades to current crossing arrangements at the junction of Talbot Road and Chester Road to help improve safety for people walking, wheeling or cycling.

The scheme is the latest in a programme of works to promote active travel in Trafford and comes days after the opening of similar facilities at the junction of Talbot Road and White City Way. Ultimately, this will form an extensive active travel corridor stretching from Stretford to Deansgate in Manchester City Centre.

The works are being funded through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Mayor’s Challenge Fund for active travel. No road closures are planned as work is taking place within the existing coned off areas and signage will also provide advance notice for the local community.

Updates and more information will be provided on our Active Travel pages.

Cllr Aidan Williams, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Climate Change, said: “The work at the Chester Road and Talbot Road junction demonstrates our commitment to enabling pedestrians and cyclists to travel safely and easily across the borough. We opened a similar scheme further down Talbot Road last week and that is already proving to be a huge success.

“I’m very proud of the work Trafford Council is doing to encourage healthier ways to move in the borough.”

Richard Nickson, Active Travel Programme Director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “Talbot Road is key a route for people who live in or travel through the area and the ongoing programme of work underway will bring real benefits to all road users.

“The crossing upgrades, pathways improvements and the installation of smart traffic lights will make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more accessible at the junction of Chester Road, connecting that particular junction to the wider active travel route on Talbot Road.

“Building safer junctions that provide protection for walking, wheeling or riding on busy roads are key part of the Bee Network, our vision for a fully-integrated transport system connecting all modes of travel.”

Other parts of the Talbot Road scheme will be completed in early 2024. Details of those openings will be made available in due course.

Posted on Friday 22nd December 2023