Greater Manchester plans for ‘Beelines’ cycling and walking network

A plan has been unveiled an innovative new plan to create a Greater Manchester wide cycling and walking network made up of more than 1,000 miles of routes, including 75 miles of Dutch-style segregated bike lanes.

The ‘Beelines’ network will be the largest joined-up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK and has been developed with all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities.

Once built, the network will better connect every community in Greater Manchester, benefitting 2.7 million people and making cycling and walking a real alternative to the car.

In Rochdale, 136 new or upgraded crossings are proposed enabling 89% of the population to use Beelines. Six miles of Beelines on busy roads are proposed.

The proposed routes and crossing points have also been published on open data website  where interested  members of the public can collaborate on the plans for their area.

https://mappinggm.org.uk/beelines/#os_maps_light/11/53.5069/-2.3201

The proposals, which are subject to formal approval by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on Friday 29 June, also include plans for 1,400 safer road crossings on the majority of routes and 25 ‘filtered neighbourhoods’, where priority will be given to the movement of people and where more public spaces to sit, play and socialise will be created.

Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “It’s not really about people using bikes and walking – it’s about making better places to live and work by giving people a real choice about how they travel. In doing so, we’ll make the city -region healthier and more prosperous.

“We’ve seen from other global cities that these methods work and the benefits are there for all to see – we simply can't afford to be left behind.

“So now the hard work begins and we’ll be working closely with all local authorities and partners to deliver this plan as urgently as possible.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “If we’re to cut congestion and clean up our air, decisive action is needed. I want to make Greater Manchester one of the top 10 places in the world to live and it’s action of this sort which will help to deliver that promise.

“I’ve no doubt that Chris Boardman and the 10 local authorities which make up Greater Manchester will do us proud and make journeys on foot or by bike the first choice for local trips.

“This will help to tackle congestion and it will help to tackle poor air quality, as well as boosting people's health and fitness levels.”

The plans represent the first version of the network that could be built over the next five years. An updated version of the Beelines map will be published later in the year.

The first list of routes and crossings that will be built in this financial year will be published at the end of July. All 10 local authorities are now working with the GMCA and TfGM to identify sites where work can start quickly.