People who live or work in Harpurhey are being asked for their views on a series of proposed improvements to make a safer, more active neighbourhood to live in and travel through.
The proposals, brought forward by Manchester City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester, consist of 11 new or improved road crossings for pedestrians and people on bikes across the area, providing safe, easy and direct routes to the centre of Harpurhey on foot or by bike. The aim of these plans is that by making key crossings safer, easier and more convenient to navigate by bike or on foot, people will continue to choose these methods long-term, or be encouraged to switch from the car for the first time.
The proposals are for:
- Rochdale Road and Russet Road junction crossing upgraded to a walking and cycling (toucan) crossing
- Moston Lane east of Dalbeattie Street crossing upgraded to a walking and cycling (toucan) crossing
- Moston Lane west of Melbourne Street crossing upgraded to a walking and cycling (toucan) crossing
- Moston Lane west of Gill Street crossing upgraded to a walking and cycling (toucan) crossing
- Pedestrian crossing east of Hough Hall Road is to be moved to align with Hough Hall Road.
- Rochdale Road north of Westbourne Grove crossing upgraded to a walking and cycling (toucan) crossing.
- Rochdale Road north of Church Lane crossing upgraded to a walking and cycling (toucan) crossing.
- Provide a parallel zebra crossing for pedestrians and cyclists and improve the existing road closures at Water Street and Ventnor Street at the junction with Church Lane.
- Upper Conran Street north of Caversham Drive crossing upgraded to a walking and cycling (toucan) crossing.
- Provide a parallel zebra crossing for pedestrians and cyclists at Fernclough Road west of Ventnor Street
- Upgrade the existing zebra crossing to a parallel zebra crossing at Fernclough Road west of Church Lane
These updates are part of a Greater Manchester-wide project to improve crossings in the city region, which are often a barrier for people who want to travel more actively, be it on foot or by bike. They are aimed at making it easier, quicker and safer for people of all ages and abilities to cycle or walk around. The routes will connect with the rest of the “Bee Network”, which will be the largest joined-up cycling and walking network in the UK at 1,800 miles long and will provide a real alternative to the car.
The consultation opened on 12 October and people are being asked to give their views on the proposals by 26 October by visiting tfgm.com/harpurhey, or by contacting beenetworkcrossings@manchester.gov.uk.
Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport, Councillor Angeliki Stogia, said: “These changes are intended to benefit Harpurhey residents by making the local neighbourhood safer for local journeys on foot or by bike, with all the benefits that this brings – not just in supporting healthy lifestyles, but also in helping to address the impacts of air pollution and climate change.
“Now we want residents to have their say on the plans, giving us the benefit of their feedback on these proposals to make the area cleaner, greener, healthier and more active.”
