A DESIGNATED cycleway along the length of the A34 in Stockport will be one of the main proposals of a multi-agency scheme designed to improve journey times and encourage active travel across the town.
The scheme, which has been put forward to the government by Transport for the North as part of its £700m National Roads Fund bid, has been developed by Stockport Council and represents the first phase of works.
The second phase will address congestion issues at the A34/A560 junction, which will be subject to a separate bid in the future.
The A34 corridor in Stockport, from the junction with the M60 to the A555, has been identified as a key bottleneck. The proposed plan will increase capacity at key locations to unlock growth potential and will improve sustainable access.
Scheme proposals include:
• A 5.6km cycle route along the A34 corridor including a segregated cycle track and controlled crossings with connections to the wider Greater Manchester Cycle Bee network;
• Highway works to support the Stanley Green Industrial area by improving a key access junction;
• Highway work to support Cheadle Royal Business Park by reducing congestion on the roundabout and improving cycle, foot and bus access;
• Replacement of an existing subway at Kingsway School to ensure DDA compliance and to allow cycling;
• CCTV and VMS enhancement;
Peter Molyneux, Major Roads Director at Transport for the North, said: “As part of our pan-Northern bid for £700 million of investment in our roads, we’re pleased to put this scheme forward for funding, working in partnership with Stockport Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
“Investment in this economically important road will have a significant improvement on journey times and capacity, benefiting people as they move around locally and further afield. There is a particular focus on encouraging active travel too, with the creation of a segregated cycle route, controlled crossings and a replacement subway.
“This is about more than simply improving a major road – it’s a chance to reduce congestion and journey times and to complement developments in sustainable and public transport, making travelling around Stockport easier and more reliable.”
Cllr David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Borough Council, added: “The A34 is an incredibly important road for Stockport and its residents.
“We believe this new scheme, which includes enhancing and improving the borough’s cycling and walking links, will help to encourage active travel and ensure journey times are improved.
“In other words, this scheme is much more than just focussing on cars: its aim is to encourage and support more sustainable forms of transportation. This is a key priority of mine.
“Creating a designated, safe, cycleway along the length of the A34 shows the council’s ambitions to change the mind set of how our residents travel to work and help us cement our belief in the Greater Manchester Cycle Bee Network and the positives that it will bring to the borough and the environment.”