Radcliffe goes cycle-friendly

Cyclists and pedestrians can look forward to a host of improvements in Radcliffe thanks to a new £150,000 scheme.

The innovative project, which is being delivered by Bury Council, is part of the Cycle City programme led by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) with Department for Transport funding. It includes a number of upgrades that will make cycling a more attractive option for residents and visitors to the town centre.

A dedicated cycle crossing, with low-level signals for cyclists, is being introduced at the junction of the A665 Pilkington Way and Blackburn Street. It will be the first of its type to be built in Greater Manchester.

Once complete, the new crossing will help cyclists to travel across town and avoid busy junctions, as well as linking them to a growing network of other cycle routes across the region, including National Cycle Network Route 6 at Church Street West and the Banana Path.

The new junction also includes three pedestrian crossings, making it easier to walk to the town centre from nearby residential areas.

The cycle crossing connects to the lychgate of the Parish Church of St Thomas and St John. The church’s Vicar, Elizabeth Binns, has welcomed the plans: “We’re really pleased to see improvements being made in our town and especially as it will make access to our wonderful church even easier.

“Passing walkers and cyclists will be very welcome at our community café on Saturday mornings and, if they’re feeling a bit exhausted by a new exercise regime, we’ll happily add a prayer or two.”

The second phase of the scheme will include new ‘Toucan’ crossings and upgraded paths for pedestrians and bikes through the green space between Hutchinson Way and Sion Street, to improve pedestrian and cycle safety. In addition, more cycle parking will be introduced in the town centre.

The project will support the economic growth of the town, helping people to access employment opportunities, health, education and leisure facilities.

TfGM Committee Cycling and Walking Champion, Councillor Chris Paul, said: “By making roads in and around Radcliffe cycle-friendly and providing more cycle parking, people will find it easier than ever to travel by bike.

“I’m particularly looking forward to the new cycle crossing, which will connect Radcliffe to a number of great routes for people on bikes and on foot that make use of disused railway lines and canal towpaths. This network will link people in Radcliffe to Bury, Bolton and on to Manchester city centre, all avoiding busy roads.

“Greater Manchester has made a good start in making a trip by bike easier and more attractive and we have big ambitions to do much more to enable more people to walk and cycle, particularly shorter journeys – an astonishing proportion of which are still made by car contributing to congestion and air pollution.”

Councillor Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “This innovative new scheme, which is the first of its type in Greater Manchester, is really going to make a difference to people in Radcliffe - and it ticks so many boxes too. It’s good for business, good for the environment and it’s good for people’s health.

“When it’s finished it will be so much easier for us to leave our cars at home, choose to get away busy traffic and get walking or cycling into Radcliffe and Bury, or even further afield with the convenient links to Bolton and to Manchester City Centre.”

The first phase of works (the cycle crossing on Pilkington Way) is expected to be completed by the end of the year. During this time, there will be single-lane traffic on Pilkington Way. The second phase of works is due to start in the New Year.

Work will take place Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 3pm to minimise disruption.

The £20m first phase of the DfT-funded Cycle City programme has seen the construction of six new cycleways linking residents to major employment areas alongside improved cycle parking and facilities at transport interchanges, railway stations, Metrolink stops, workplaces, and social housing sites; 11 schools benefiting from new cycling facilities and training through the Cycle Schools and Colleges project; and training and support for people who would like to cycle more or who are new to cycling.

The second phase involves a further £22 million investment in additional new and improved cycleways; five new cycle-friendly district centres, including Radcliffe; 10 additional schools joining the Cycle Schools and Colleges project; further improvements to cycle parking and continued cycle training and support.

To find out more about the Cycle City programme, visit the TfGM cycling pages at www.tfgm.com/cycling.

ENDS

Press release issued: 30 October 2017.

Picture: At the new crossing in Radcliffe are (left) Cllr Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, and Cllr Chris Paul, TfGM Committee Cycling and Walking Champion.

Media contact: 0161 244 1055 or email mediarelations@tfgm.com

Notes to Editors

1. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is the transport delivery arm for Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and its Transport for Greater Manchester Committee (TfGMC).

2. We co-ordinate public transport and other types of travel – like driving, cycling and walking – throughout the ten district areas of Greater Manchester, the UK’s largest regional economy outside London.

3. We work closely with bus, tram and train operators to help put the customer first and improve the journey experience. We also own Metrolink – the UK’s largest light rail network hosting more than 38 million passenger journeys every year – and plan for its future.

4. By investing in new, modern transport interchanges and smarter travel information we’re making it easier to get around on public transport. We also promote and invest in walking and cycling as a healthy and sustainable way to travel.

5. With our partners at Highways England and the ten local authorities we work to keep our roads safe and ease congestion.

6. We’re also planning for a more sustainable future. Through the Greater Manchester 2040 Transport Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan we aim to make our city-region a cleaner, greener and healthier place to live, work and play in.

7. For more information, visit www.tfgm.com.