Highways network reviewed in bid for more cycling lanes

Artist's impression of the proposed Beeline route in Castleton

The council is reviewing the borough’s highways network in a bid to create new long-lasting cycling infrastructure.

Plans to create a new £1.2m cycle lane at Castleton as part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network are already on track. A public consultation on phase 1 of the project, from central Castleton to Sudden, is set to take place later in the summer.

The council is also developing a second phase of the Castleton scheme which would see it extended further along Manchester Road into Rochdale town centre.

Highway engineers have has also developed a concept for a four-mile cycle lane from Middleton to Manchester city centre.

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We’re constantly reviewing our cycling provision and always looking for new opportunities to improve facilities. Cycling is a great way of encouraging active lifestyles and protecting the environment.

“But our roads need to work for everybody, including people who need to travel by car for any number of reasons, such as residents with disabilities. Plans that are too hastily put together often create more problems and end up not being well used or they create conflict between different groups of people.”

Councils have to consider a number of things before installing cycle lanes. These include maintaining a minimum road width to ensure other vehicles, like emergency service vehicles, can safely ravel through, and keeping enough space on the pavement for walkers and people with prams and wheelchairs.

Councillor Emmott added: “We’re already working closely with TfGM on our Castleton cycle scheme and are aware that funding for other long term projects is likely to become available in the near future. That’s why we’re looking at options for more cycle schemes like this which will work for the long term.”