Green light for Stockport’s eco-friendly travel improvements

Stockport’s sustainable travel network will receive a boost after five new projects were given the go-ahead to start construction later this Summer.

Walkers, cyclists and bus users are to benefit after Transport for Greater Manchester gave the greenlight to the following schemes on Thursday, June 27 at its Bee Network Committee meeting: Heatons Link Phase 2, Ladybrook Valley, Romiley to Stockport East, Hempshaw Lane Improvements and Woodley to Bredbury Parkway Improvements.

The schemes have been funded via the Government’s Active Travel scheme and the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements programme and in some cases will complete routes that have already been built, including a missing section of the Ladybrook Valley route, and in the Heatons where it will be part of the wider the route from the Fallowfield Loop to the Trans Pennine Trail.

Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services at Stockport Council, said: “I’m really pleased that TfGM’s Active Travel board has approved five projects that will help to further boost our sustainable travel network in our borough.

“We want to encourage sustainable methods of travel as a method of getting from A to B for our residents and these new improvements will help them achieve this goal.

“These new schemes will work alongside existing schemes to create a joined-up network connecting our communities.

“I’m particularly pleased we can now expand two of our existing routes in the Heatons and Ladybrook Valley, which I’m sure will help to transform journeys in that area.

“Working together with our partners to create a clear vision will make Stockport a happy and healthy place to live, work and play.”

Richard Nickson, Network Director for Active Travel, said: “These new approved schemes in Stockport are part of wider ambition to deliver the Bee Network, a fully-integrated active travel and public transport network.

“The schemes will provide high-quality, safe walking, wheeling and cycling routes and connections for people in Stockport, while also making also making Greater Manchester as a whole an even better place to live, work and visit.”

Construction on all schemes is set to begin in late Summer, and follows on from the creation of the helix ramp at the Interchange and the award-winning Bramhall Park to A6 route.