Funding approved for Tameside cycling and walking schemes

Tameside is set to benefit from a multi-million pound funding package to create safe cycling and walking routes.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has now approved £8.4 million of the Mayor's Challenge Fund (MCF) to progress development of the latest Bee Network schemes, as part of the region's plan to become the first UK city-region to have a fully joined-up cycling and walking network.

It includes £687,000 of funding for Tameside Council's Active Neighbourhoods scheme, which aims to provide key crossings and links through local neighbourhoods.

This includes a series of cycle improvements at Hill Street in Ashton, including contraflow cycle lanes and a new parallel zebra crossing to enhance cycle access; and improvements to an off-road path and a new parallel zebra crossing for pedestrians and cyclists at Chadwick Dam in Ashton and Stalybridge.

Four other schemes at Rayner Lane in Droylsden and Audenshaw; Ross Lave Lane in Denton; Stamford Drive in Stalybridge; and Clarendon Road in Audenshaw, are also under development.

Cllr Warren Bray, Tameside Council Executive Member for Transport and Connectivity, said: “We’re delighted to have had this funding approved, which will be used to deliver schemes in Tameside that create safe cycling and walking routes as part of the Bee Network that joins up across Greater Manchester.

“This is just part of the ambitious work we’re undertaking to encourage residents to walk or cycle more, reducing vehicle trips and tackling congestion and poor air quality to protect the environment and help keep people fit and healthy.”

Greater Manchester’s Bee Network is set to provide an 1,800 mile, joined up cycling and walking network across the city-region. So far, 82 schemes from the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities and Transport for Greater Manchester are in the development pipeline, with a total value of £493 million – around a third of the total forecast cost of £1.5 billion required to deliver the Bee Network as a whole across Greater Manchester over the next 10 years.

The news comes in the same week that £15.9 million of funding was allocated to Greater Manchester by the government’s Active Travel Fund, which includes delivering several cycling and walking schemes in Tameside.

The council say plans are also being developed to help residents improve their cycling skills and confidence to make the most of the new cycle routes. 

They add that more information will be added to its dedicated webpage www.tameside.gov.uk/streetsandtransport/walking-and-cycling, where details of the Bee Network proposals and other cycling and walking initiatives can be found.