Plan for cycle lanes on main roads into city
New cycle lanes could be installed along two major roads.
Greater Manchester has tabled a bid for £21.5m of government funding for a network of pop-up lanes as well as wider improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure.
Stockport council chiefs want to create parallel cycling routes along the A6 and A34 – both major roads which cross the borough and connect it with Manchester.
These would link into Chris Boardman’s £1.5bn Bee Network – which aims to create
1,800 miles of protected space across the city region – including a futuristic bridge linking the railway station with a park atop the new transport interchange planned for 2023.
Lockdown has seen an increase in cycling due to the quieter roads and people’s increased leisure time, and council bosses say the routes would ensure people continue to feel safe.
Coun David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “These would support all cyclists, from those who are new and inexperienced to the more seasoned, and we feel could be delivered permanently if successful.
“These parallel routes would link into the Bee Network. The Bee Network is essential if we’re going to deliver an integrated public transport network that addresses clean air and reduces the overall number of car journeys.”
And he added: “If we’re going to get wide support for walking and cycling, we need to do it in a way that tackles road safety.”
It would form part of a Greater Manchester-wide pop-up cycle network, with leaders also eyeing the possibility of these temporary routes becoming permanent.
Stockport also wants to use money from the first £3.1m tranche of the emergency active travel fund to convert bus lanes on the A6 into 24-hour enforceable bus and cycle lanes.
These are intended to create more dedicated spaces for cyclists, while continuing to support the bus network.
Coun Meller added: “while there is obviously a focus on people not using public transport, for many it is unavoidable – particularly when accessing Manchester city centre.
“we also need to think longerterm and the overall sustainably of the bus network.
“we need a robust bus network to take cars off our roads, which in turn should support walking and cycling as well.”
Stockport council has also been awarded up to £500,000 under TfGM’s Safer Streets Save Lives initiative, for schemes which make it easier for people to adhere to social distancing guidelines while walking or cycling.
This focuses on district centres, identifying ‘pinch points’ and removing street clutter.
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I’m Salford City Council is urgently looking for foster carers for babies, toddlers, children and teenagers.
In addition, the council is in need of respite and short-term carers, in addition to long-term carers, carers for sibling groups and children with additional needs. The process of becoming a foster carer has now been adapted so you are still able to apply and progress through assessments and training and become an approved carer in just a few months - even in light of the current circumstances.
All training is now taking place virtually but is still being conducted in groups so you will get the opportunity to meet other like-minded people in the same position.
At some point, there will be a home visit in order to meet you in person and to check that your home is suitable for children but the scheduled visit will always take into account people’s health needs and accessibility during this time.
The process no longer takes a minimum of six months, but can now be completed entirely in just a few months.
Recently many of us would have had time to reflect about our lifestyles and what is important to us and some may feel that it is the right choice for them to embark on a foster carer route. Anyone can become a foster carer, you can be single, living with a partner or married, own your own home or rent, be in work or not in work, have your own children or never had children.
All you need is a spare bedroom, an abundance of energy and the true desire to transform a child or young person’s life.
If you are able to provide a happy and loving home and give a child a stable environment and the care and guidance they need, then foster caring may be perfect for you.
WHY FOSTER WITH SALFORD CITY COUNCIL?
Salford foster carers often comment that the biggest reward is being safe in the knowledge that you have made a real difference to someone’s life. with an ongoing training programme, you will also learn and develop new skills.
If you foster, you will receive a weekly allowance, plus additional payments for occasions such as birthdays and for various items such as car seats and bedroom furniture.
each and every foster carer will be assigned a dedicated personal social worker who will visit regularly and the foster child/children will have their own social worker too. There is always a social worker on duty 24 hours a day, so you will never be on your own.
You’ll be linked with an experienced ‘buddy’ foster carer to provide ongoing support when you are newly approved, so you will have someone to talk to outside of the social work network as and when you need to. Salford’s dedicated team of support workers ensure that your family are continually supported and looked after with access to a plethora of support groups and social activities.
One of the most significant advantages of fostering with a local authority is that they place ‘in house’ first, so you are unlikely to have an empty bed for long.
Councillor John Merry, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services, said: “Now is a great time for those who have been thinking about fostering to start the conversation with us.
“while people have been at home, they’ve had a unique chance to reflect on what’s important to them, what they want to do in life and to look at making a change. we’re here and ready to talk to them.
“we urgently need carers for babies, toddlers, children and teenagers, and we need weekend respite carers, short term carers and long term carers – so whatever type of fostering they are interested in, we would be able to meet their needs.”
WHO CAN BECOME A FOSTER CARER?
HOW DO I BECOME A FOSTER CARER?
with an urgent need for every type of fostering arrangement; for babies, toddlers, children and teenagers, weekend respite carers, short term carers and long term carers, Salford City Council are keen to meet everyone’s individual needs for every lifestyle.
If you would like to begin the journey of becoming a foster carer, the team will be able to tell you more about fostering with Salford and answer any questions that you may have.