Plans are revealed for new walking and cycling route
PLANS for an improved pedestrian and cycle route between Edgeley and Stockport town centre have been unveiled.
The proposals include links to the railway station, Stockport College and the new transport interchange due to open in 2023.
The upgrades are all part of Chris Boardman’s Greater Manchester ‘Bee Network’ – which aims to create the largest joined-up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK.
A key part of the scheme is a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, which will cross the rail line between Thomson Street and King Street West.
Walking and cycling improvements for the markets are also in the pipeline and should be revealed later this year, while the council is in discussions with Network Rail over replacing Greek Street bridge.
Stockport regeneration chief councillor David Meller says the proposals are ‘particularly important’ to the town’s walking and cycling vision.
He said: “We’re beginning to get a really coherent network together where it’s all beginning to come together with the Edgeley and Stockport work linking into our wider ambition.
“Not just for Stockport station but also Thomson Street bridge – as well as effectively being able to link into the town centre by foot or by bike far more easily than you can do now.
“This is a key piece of the jigsaw to get done and then it’s all beginning to come together from there.”
The schemes are as follows:
●GREEK STREET:
Proposals for a new connection from Stockport College at Royal George Street to Thomson Street include:
A segregated off-road walking and cycling route linking Royal George Street to an improved toucan pedestrian/cycle crossing across Greek Street. A widened shared use footpath/ cycleway on the northern side of Greek Street leading to Blackshaw Street and Thomson Street, connecting to proposed routes through to King Street West and Railway Road.
An extension of the double yellow lines to cover the widened toucan crossing. ●●EDGELEY AND KING STREET WEST: Plans for an improved connection from the Thomson Street bridge to Edgeley include:
Upgrading the current toucan crossing on King Street West to a ‘sparrow type’ segregated pedestrian and cycle crossing.
An off-road cycle track with improved pedestrian footpaths connecting Castle Street with Bengal Street.
A north/south off-road cycle track with adjacent footpath running along the western side of King Street West, connecting Bengal Street to upgraded crossing on King Street West;
Extending the double yellow lines to cover the extent of the proposed sparrow crossing.
●THOMSON STREET:
Proposals for an improved connection from the Thomson Street bridge to Railway Road include.
A new layout of the Armoury car park (to include 56 parking bays) in order to provide better pedestrian and cycle routes to the new foot/cycle bridge. A proposed pedestrian/cycle ramp linking the car park with Railway Road. The ramp would be lit, covered by CCTV and based on land between the NCP multi-storey car park and Thomson Street.
●RAILWAY ROAD AND THE A6 WELLINGTON ROAD SOUTH:
Improved connections from Railway Road to Stockport train station and the town centre would include:
A shared use pedestrian cycle route next to the NCP car park with a parallel zebra crossing for pedestrians and cyclists travelling towards Sainsbury’s. This would link to the existing shared use areas around Stockport Exchange and the train station.
A segregated two-way cycle track and footpath along the southern side of Railway Road to the A6 junction. Widening of Railway Road to provide an extended two-lane approach to the A6 traffic lights along with a layby for new development at Stockport Exchange.
Changes to the layout of the Railway Road/A6 junction including segregated cycle crossings, full pedestrian facilities and improved traffic operation.
There would also be a number of associated traffic regulation orders.
●LORD STREET:
It is proposed to ban vehicle access to Lord Street at its junction with Wellington Street and Duke Street, with parallel zebra pedestrian/cycle crossing facilities across Wellington Street providing high-quality cycle and pedestrian access.
A bollard is proposed to be installed at the northern end of Loonies Court.
There would also be a number of associated traffic regulation orders.
●STOCKPORT INTERCHANGE CONNECTIONS:
New pedestrian and cycle connections to the new Stockport Interchange would include.
A6 toucan crossing – a new shared crossing for pedestrians and cyclists adjacent to the Hat Works. This will be linked to St Peter’s Square and Podium Park, on the roof of the new Interchange, by shared footpath/cycleways.
●STATION ROAD CYCLE ROUTE:
A new route for cycling is to be created between the station and the interchange. It will include a new parallel zebra segregated crossing for pedestrians and cyclists next to Grand Central Leisure Centre.
This would be linked to the station and the new ramp to the Podium Park by new footpath/cycleways.
To make space for the new cycle route the taxi rank will be remodelled, and the bus stop moved to the existing layby on Station Road.
To improve safety the speed limit on Station Road will be reduced to 20mph.