Cyclists in Stockport will benefit from funding of £1.15 million to improve safety along the busy A34 Kingsway and in Cheadle village centre.
Following a successful bid to the Department for Transport’s Cycle Safety Fund, Stockport Council was awarded £566,000, and added to ‘match funding’ from a variety of sources including developers, a total of £1.15 million will be spent to improve cycling links and provide a safer cycle network.
The Cheadle scheme involves six elements which include creating segregated cycle routes, off road routes, cycle crossing facilities, cycle ‘cut throughs’, and speed reductions for motorists.
The A34 ‘corridor’ through Cheadle – which links Manchester and Cheshire – will see major improvements to cycle and pedestrian safety at several key junctions including the A560 Gatley Road, and at Cheadle Royal retail and business park.
The scheme is expected to be completed by December 2013.
Councillor Iain Roberts, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said:
“Currently, cycle journeys along the extremely busy Kingsway are only undertaken by cyclists confident enough to tackle the road.
“We are spending over £1m on a series of safety measures and improved cycle links on the cycling network in Cheadle to encourage cyclists to make carbon-free local journeys within Cheadle and via the A34 towards either Manchester or Cheshire.
“We hope that more residents will be able to reap the benefits of cycling and enjoy a far healthier and more cost efficient form of transport.”
The scheme is part of a number of cycling initiatives across the borough which aim to encourage more people to cycle by making it safer and more enjoyable.