Residents rebel against cycle lane that would replace parking spots

Residents on a busy Audenshaw road are up in arms after being told their parking bays were being taken away to make room for a pop-up cycle lane.

Those living on the stretch of Manchester Road from The Pearl restaurant to the Audenshaw tram stop received hand delivered letters close to a fortnight ago informing them of the changes.

They were told that there was a consultation running until January, but that works were set to begin on Monday (30 November).

Tameside Council say that it is part of the #SafeStreetsSaveLives campaign in response to the Government’s directive to create safe spaces for people travelling by foot or bike, easing pressure on public transport through the pandemic.

It’s left a sour taste in the mouth of residents there, who feel they’ve had no say in their decision and are upset at losing their parking.

Gary Owen is part of the Manchester Road Residents Group and says that they’re not averse to cycle lanes, but are unwilling to give up their parking provision. “We’re not averse to cyclists, cycling or the concept of a cycle lane itself, it’s having to give up the parking bays in front of our houses to facilitate it.

“It seems quite 11th hour because the work stats on Monday (30 November), yet the consultation period runs until January next year.

“We’ve seen metallic poles already installed in the ground so a lot of this seems to prejudge the outcome of the consultation.”

The parking problem is compounded by the fact that many of the houses on the street have shared driveways, an unusual set-up which means homeowners must decide with their neighbours who is able to use the space.

The parking spaces have been in place for decades, with Gary saying that he has lived in the house for over 20 years and they have always been there. He explained: “Many residents rely on that parking facility that’s been there for literally decades.

“For that to be suddenly removed with no alternative is what is causing the big problem and concern. Yes, I will knowledge that virtually all houses along that stretch do have driveways but the majority of them are shared and in that lies difficulties.

“It’s not easy to share a driveway with a neighbour, not because you don’t get on with them - quite the contrary - but we’re all leaving and going at different times, we have different jobs and needs. 

“Some of the vehicles that people own wont physically fit on their driveways. It seems as if the residents have been left as a second thought to this.”

Gary has passed his own plans onto the council, proposing that the cycle lane is placed next to the parking spaces, with a reduced lane width in the carriageway. He said: “Install a painted cycle lane - then there should still be enough room in the rest of the carriageway to accomodate the rest of the traffic if the hatched area was removed and just replaced by a simple dotted line.

“It’s a wide road and we should be able to accomodate all. Ive described that in my submission to the council because I didn’t want to appear just a member of the awkward squad I wanted to be constructive as well.”

Gary says that a fellow resident on the street counted only 9 cyclists using the road over the course of an entire day and that a perfectly functional cycle path follows the canal behind the houses, away from traffic.

The Reporter contacted Tameside Council for a statement and they responded, saying that there would be regular reviews to check that the temporary scheme meets the needs of people. A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “The new ‘pop-up’ cycle lane in Audenshaw is part of a temporary route along the A635 from Ashton to Manchester to help provide a safe travel option for those residents who do not have access to a car or can’t access public transport due to reduced capacity.

“The scheme is part of the wider Greater Manchester #SafeStreetsSaveLives campaign. These schemes are not unique to Greater Manchester but are taking place across the country in response to a Government directive. This is to satisfy a demand to create enhanced safe spaces for people travelling on foot or by bike to maintain social distancing and ease pressure on public transport during the pandemic and through recovery.

“It will help the economy by supporting people travelling to work, while building on the increase in walking and cycling and the fall in traffic, congestion and air pollution that’s been achieved during the pandemic to boost health and the environment.

“Residents along the route were informed by letter on 17 November with contact details given to report any concerns, and we are keen to work collaboratively, listening to feedback to deliver a scheme that benefits as many people as possible. This is why, as the work is taking place at pace, an online consultation is underway simultaneously until 29 January, 2021, for the public to provide their thoughts on the scheme and can be accessed, alongside further information at www.tameside.gov.uk/safestreets/a635.

“We are working with ward councillors and community representatives and will continue to make sure our designs meet their needs. The results of the survey will be reviewed on a regular basis to determine if any immediate issues need to be addressed during the trial period and anyone with urgent concerns can email cycling@tameside.gov.uk

“Once the consultation has ended a detailed review of all feedback will be undertaken to help determine if changes are needed, whether it should be made permanent, developed further or removed all together.”