Greater Manchester’s Bee Network increases to 1,800 miles as £134m of new cycling and walking schemes announced
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One year on from the launch of its proposals for the UK’s largest cycling and walking network, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has today published an updated Bee Network map which has seen the total length of the network increase by 77% - from almost 1,000 miles to more than 1,800 miles. The total number of new and upgraded crossings has also increased from 2,000 to 2,400.
The changes to the Bee Network map have taken into account feedback from local authorities and the 4,000 public comments received when it was first published in June last year.
TfGM also today announced that a total of 15 new Bee Network cycling and walking schemes with a total value of £134m will be considered by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) this week.
If approved, this would take the number of endorsed schemes so far to 57 and will deliver 469 new and upgraded crossings and junctions as well as 127 miles of new cycling and walking routes, to be known as Beeways. This includes 20 miles of Busy Beeways, Dutch-style cycle lanes that are protected from motor traffic.
The latest schemes would bring the total value of proposed cycling and walking related-projects across Greater Manchester to around £339 million. Around £160 million of this funding is from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund with £120 million coming from local contributions. A further £74 million funding will now be sought to fully cover the cost of all of the schemes plus associated programme costs.
Schemes being proposed include a huge £32 million cycling and walking programme for Wigan, including a segregated cycling route along the A49 plus the transformation of several neighbourhoods to make them more people-friendly for on foot and by bike travel. A continuous east-west walking and cycling route in the north and east Manchester city centre fringe serving Ancoats, New Islington and the Green quarter is also proposed. A complete overhaul of the cycling and walking environment is also planned for Salford as well as a major active neighbourhood project in Urmston, where the movement of people is prioritised over the movement of cars.
TfGM has also today published an update on its plans for a GM bike hire scheme, confirming an ambition to launch the first phase in Spring 2020.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “A Greater Manchester-wide bike hire scheme will be an integral part of our transport network. If we can get tens of thousands of people doing their first and last mile on a bike or on foot, we’ll be well on our way to creating a more integrated, sustainable and varied transport offer.
“The 15 schemes being proposed today are an exciting next step towards building the Bee Network. When complete it will be the largest joined-up walking and cycling network in the country. We’re embarking on an active travel revolution in Greater Manchester and I’m looking forward to the first Bee Network schemes opening later this year.”
Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “I couldn’t have imagined when I took up this role two years ago that we’d get to a point where we’re already oversubscribed funding-wise because we have so many high quality schemes being proposed. What a fantastic problem to have. We can crack on with the development and build of a lot of these schemes - and in the meantime we’re going to scale up our campaign to secure further funding and will shortly publish a delivery plan. A true alternative to the car is something that Greater Manchester residents clearly want – that’s why I’m so pleased to announce that our planned network is now longer and more comprehensive than before.”
The 15 new proposed projects being funded as part of the Mayor’s Challenge Fund are:
Bolton
1. Bolton Town Centre Phase 1 (East) - £4.1 million
This project will improve the on foot and by bike experience across a large part of the town centre, including creating seven new crossings, upgrading two junctions, creating two-way cycle tracks on one-way streets, upgrading two subways and delivering more cycle parking.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £4.1 million with £3.5 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £0.6 million in local contributions.
Bury
2. Bury Fishpool - £3.6 million
This project will deliver a series of junction improvements, new routes and infrastructure enhancements to connect communities and improve safety in the Fishpool area of Bury.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £3.6 million with £3.4 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £0.2 million in local contributions.
Manchester
3. Manchester Northern and Eastern Gateway - £13.2 million
Connecting the neighbourhoods of Ancoats, New Islington, New Cross, New Town, Redbank and the Green Quarter, this scheme will create a high quality, continuous east-west walking and cycling route in the north and east city centre fringe.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £13.2 million with £4.2 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £9 million in local contributions.
__Salford __
4. Salford City Centre Package - £28.2 million
This scheme will remove the barriers to cycling and walking in Salford’s city centre, delivering a complete, high-quality walking and cycling network across the entire area, linked to public transport.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £28.2 million with £23.1 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £5.1 million in local contributions.
Salford RHS Links - £2 million
This scheme will significantly improve the on foot and by bike experience in the area, improving access to the new RHS Bridgewater Garden, Parr Fold Park, Worsley College and Walkden Train Station.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £2 million with £1.3 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £0.7 million in local contributions.
__Stockport __
6. Stockport Heaton Norris Bridge - £6.8 million
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A new cycling and walking bridge will replace the existing narrow, unattractive pedestrian bridge over the M60 on a key route linking Heaton Norris with Stockport town centre. This scheme also includes a new path within Heaton Norris park, a signalised junction upgrade and one parallel crossing.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £6.8 million with £5.8 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £1 million in local contributions.
Stockport Hempshaw Lane – £1.2 million
This scheme will provide new crossings as well as delivering a new walking and cycling route through St. Thomas’ Recreation Ground.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £1.2 million with £0.7 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £0.5 million in local contributions.
Tameside
8. Tameside Ashton West Retail Centre Link Bridge - £1.2 million
A new 60 metre cycling and walking bridge will be delivered by this scheme linking existing facilities to the north and south of Manchester Road and Ashton Metrolink. Ramped access will be provided to a wide shared bridge area suitable for all users.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £1.2 million with the total cost coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund.
Tameside Ashton Streetscape Scheme – £6.1 million
High quality walking and cycling routes will be delivered across and along the A6043 Wellington Road / Albion Way corridor, forming part of Phase 3 of the Vision Tameside public realm works.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £6.1 million with £3.5 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £2.6 million in local contributions.
Tameside Ashton South - £1.2 million
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This scheme will establish cycle routes into and through the town centre and enhance the environment for pedestrians. The scheme will consider the use of contraflow cycle lanes and potentially reversing sections of one-way streets to deter motor vehicles rat running. The scheme will also reduce speed limits, remove unnecessary street furniture and provide additional cycle parking within the town centre.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £1.2 million with the total cost coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund.
Transport for Greater Manchester
11. GM Safety Camera Digitisation and Upgrade - £9.2 million
The project will reduce road danger by improving red traffic light and speed limit compliance through the replacement of existing safety camera housings and identifying new prioritised locations. The latest technology will assist in improving red-light; spot speed; and average speed compliance rates. This is a Safer Roads Greater Manchester (SRGM) partnership initiative between TfGM, GMP; and GM Local Authorities. The newly prioritised locations will be identified in co-ordination with Bee Network schemes and delivery Partners.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £9.2 million with match funding of £400k from SRGM and the remainder from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund.
TfGM Active Neighbourhoods Support - £3.2 million
This scheme involves the development and delivery of 10 active neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester – where the movement of people is prioritised over the movement of motor traffic. The schemes will be delivered by a bespoke team of specialists in close collaboration with the community from the outset. The locations for the active neighbourhoods will identified over the coming weeks.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £3.2 million with £2.8 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £0.4 million in local contributions.
Trafford
13. Sale – Sale Moor – Sale Water Park - £10.4 million
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A safe, high-quality and attractive walking and cycling route will be delivered, linking Sale town centre, the district of Sale Moor and Sale Water Park, connecting with Chorlton, Manchester.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £10.4 million with £8.4 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £2.0 million in local contributions.
Trafford Urmston Area Active Neighbourhood - £11.5 million
This major active neighbourhood scheme will significantly improve the walking and cycling environment in the Urmston area. Interventions will be community and stakeholder driven and it is expected that they will include segregated cycle routes, new and upgraded crossings, improved signage, parklets, school street treatments and collision reduction measures.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £11.5 million with £11.4 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £0.1 million in local contributions.
Wigan
15. Wigan Standish to Ashton - £32.2 million
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This scheme will deliver high quality, attractive alternatives to the car along Wigan’s A49 corridor, including segregated cycle lanes and improved crossings. The project will deliver 13 miles of traffic free routes, including almost six miles of resurfaced off-road routes, four miles of refurbished canal towpath, three miles of completely new path on a disused railway line, including Whelley viaduct. Three sets of steps will be replaced with ramps to open up the ‘3 bridges’ link over the canal, river and railway. Around 13 protected junctions on A-roads, three miles of segregated cycle lanes and 13 miles of routes on quiet roads will also be delivered as well as neighbourhood cycle parking and parklets.
The scheme is expected to cost in the region of £32.2 million with £22.2 million coming from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and £10 million in local contributions.
The £160 million that the Mayor of Greater Manchester has allocated to the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund has been made possible thanks to national government’s Transforming Cities Fund.
The Transforming Cities Fund aims to improve productivity and spread prosperity through investment in public and sustainable transport in some of the largest English city regions and was first announced on 20 November 2017 by the Prime Minister.