Improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure in Stockport town centre are among the projects in Greater Manchester to be delivered using money from the government’s Active Travel Fund.
The city-region has been awarded £15.97 million from the government fund set up in response to the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the way people travel. 25 schemes in total will be delivered across Greater Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester has confirmed.
In Stockport, a series of physical interventions will create a pedestrian and cyclist friendly environment in the historic marketplace and surrounding streets in Stockport town centre. The proposals will also help to support the ongoing regeneration of the Underbanks area. The scheme was the only one of six proposed projects for Stockport to be accepted for the funding.
The award from the Active Travel Fund follows over £3 million provided by government across Greater Manchester for the introduction of pop-up cycleways and active neighbourhoods.
Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said:
The first round of government funding back in July gave us the chance to trial cycling and walking routes, a try-before-you-buy experience. This latest funding will not only allow us to continue to do that, but to deliver permanent measures that will enable people to make the change long term, intrinsically linked to our plans to deliver the Bee Network – the UK’s largest cycling and walking network. We will be consulting and engaging extensively with residents to ensure we get the locations right and let them tell us where routes are needed the most.
“By giving more people the choice to walk or ride to shops and school for those shorter local journeys, we can change travel habits for good, improve our health, clean up the air and, ultimately, make us happier. The award also shows the confidence government has in the people of Greater Manchester to lead the way in creating an example for the rest of the UK, something everyone in GM should be very proud of.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said:
This latest round of funding will not only support our long-term recovery from the pandemic, it will reduce congestion and air pollution on our roads, making our streets nicer places to be on foot and by bike, and moving us a step closer to a truly integrated transport system.
“I must champion the tireless efforts of our local authorities to develop and now deliver these schemes. It’s a huge vote of confidence that national government gave us more money than we originally asked for. They clearly see great value in our ambitious plans to make Greater Manchester a true cycling and walking region.”
The full list of schemes to have been awarded funding from the Active Travel Fund is available on the TfGM website.
Regional mayors launch new partnership to support Peak District 
New Greek Street bridge beams installed in just four days 
Electric van and truck grant scheme extended