Heatons to Stockport Walking and Cycling Route

Overview

In summer 2020, Stockport Council introduced measures to improve walking and cycling along a 3.3km route of quieter streets between Heaton Chapel and Stockport Town Centre.

This was part of the national Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF) which enabled local authorities to use temporary interventions to encourage travel on foot or by bike whilst maintaining social distancing and avoiding overcrowding on public transport.

Since the measures have been in place, we have considered feedback from the local community and undertaken regular monitoring and reviews of the impact and effectiveness of the scheme, with amendments made where necessary. Changes included removal of the temporary signals at Heaton Chapel railway station, and reversion of the temporary change of priority at Alexandra Road / Heaton Road / Ashburn Road.

Our longer-term ambition is to deliver a high quality and fully connected walking and cycling network across the Borough. This is to form part of the Greater Manchester-wide Bee Network of routes being developed to make journeys on foot or by bike much easier and more attractive for all. The Bee Network will better connect communities across the region, making walking and cycling the preferred choices for travelling to work, to school and to the shops.

With this in mind we have developed the EATF temporary route into proposals for a permanent scheme, to be funded (subject to approval) by the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund (MCF), made possible by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, linking the Heatons and Stockport Town Centre.

As with the EATF measures the new route will avoid busy main roads. At Buckingham Road in Heaton Moor, the proposed scheme connects to the Heatons Cycle Link which is being delivered to provide a quiet route for pedestrians and cyclists between the Manchester Cycleway (Fallowfield Loop) and Trans-Pennine Trail (Heaton Mersey). This includes a permanent route from the A6 in Heaton Chapel to Buckingham Road in Heaton Moor that was part of the EATF route.  

In the Town Centre, the proposed scheme connects to pedestrian and cyclist facilities including those recently installed on George’s Road and Travis Brow, and links via pedestrian and cycle routes across M60 Junction 1 to the Trans-Pennine Trail in Heaton Norris.

Full details of the proposals are detailed over the following pages via the link at the bottom of this page. We would like to hear your views on both the pros and cons of the EATF measures, and to what extent you agree or disagree with the proposals for a permanent route that have been developed.  The consultation is running until 13^th February.

All responses to this consultation will be considered as part of the scheme development process prior to any implementation. Due to the anticipated volume of responses, please be aware we will not be able to enter detailed correspondence with individuals about points raised.

If you require any of the detailed plans or response form in an alternative format such as a hard copy or want to discuss the above, please contact the team on 0161 217 6043 or by email at walkcycle@stockport.gov.uk.