Majority of Manchester residents in favour of council’s active travel plans

At a consultation on Manchester City Council’s active travel plans, 70% of residents thought the Active Travel Neighbourhood scheme would be good for the area.

The public were asked for their views on the design and implementation of modal filters, extra infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians and traffic calming measures.

74% felt the project would be good for pedestrians, 74% felt it would be good for cyclists and nearly half said they would be more likely to walk or cycle if the measures were brought in.

Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment and Transport said: ‘The development of the Active Travel Neighbourhood project has been a huge undertaking, so to see that the majority of residents are behind the scheme is a great encouragement as we look forward to the future.

‘With an ambitious project like this it is vital that we take residents along with us on this journey and always make sure that we’re willing to adapt and make changes where necessary. Following last winter’s consultation that is what we’ve done and I’m glad that Phase 1 will be made permanent in the coming months.

‘We are immensely proud of this project as it is an example of how ambitious thinking and working with communities can affect tangible, positive change for our neighbourhoods.’

12 of the 14 filters proposed by the council in the first phase of the Active Travel Neighbourhoods will now be made permanent following this result.

Discussions are still continuing on how Phase 2 of the development will go ahead, but its hoped that work will begin later this year.

Some of the proposed changes include improved controlled crossing facilities in several areas of the city, revised traffic calming measures and the widening of degraded footway on Broom Lane.

The provision of cycle tracks will also take place on Errwood Road and Matthew’s Lane, as well as a revised filter location on Manor Road and a proposed additional filter on Linden Park and Milwain Road.

Photo by Ross Sneddon