Castleton cycling and walking scheme set to get the go-ahead after govt funding boost

Artist's impression of the proposed Beeline route

A new cycling and walking scheme in Castleton is set to get the go-ahead following a funding boost from the government’s Active Travel fund (tranche three).

The government has committed an additional £13 million to deliver six new cycling and walking schemes in Rochdale, Manchester, Salford and Tameside. The new routes will form a vital part of the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s vision for an integrated transport system connecting all forms of public transport, including active travel.

Locally, the scheme seeks to improve conditions for walking and cycling through Castleton town centre from Castleton railway station up to the Royal Toby. It will achieve this by providing continuous segregated cycle lanes alongside improved walking and wheeling facilities, including two CYCLOPS junctions and two new pedestrian crossings, and improved public realm.

Designed by Greater Manchester engineers, CYCLOPS – Cycle Optimised Protected Signal – junctions completely separate pedestrians and cyclists from each other, and from motor traffic, at junctions, eliminating some of the most hazardous conflicts on our road network.

Andy Burnham, Mayor for Greater Manchester, said: “It’s brilliant that we have been awarded more funding from government that will allow us to continue delivering high quality, accessible and safe active travel infrastructure across GM.

“Over the next 12 months we will continue to build on the plans to make active travel the number one choice in our city-region for everyday trips to work, school and the shops, or as part of a longer journey using public transport.”

This is the third tranche of funding that GM has received from the government’s Active Travel Fund. The scheme has also received funding from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund.

To date, GM has received over £19 million from the Active Travel Fund to deliver a range of cycling and walking schemes across the 10 local authorities, along with a programme of community projects that encourage more people to walk or cycle.

Schemes are subject to public consultation and further design development prior to implementation.