More cycling projects in pipeline as Greater Manchester Bee Network expands
Ellie Stott
As part of the continued development of the Bee Network in Greater Manchester, new cycling and walking schemes worth a combined total of £154m are being considered by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
These include 18 minor schemes, and five major schemes in areas including Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Stockport, Manchester and Trafford.
In addition, there are also several schemes covering Greater Manchester as a whole - including one aimed at upgrading the national cycle network in key locations and another introducing special new Bee Network crossings.
The proposals are included in the latest update about the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund. These were up for discussion in a Greater Manchester Combined Authority meeting on Friday 29 November.
If approved, a total of 82 schemes will have entered the development pipeline for the Mayor’s Challenge Fund (MCF), with a total of £493m – around a third of the total funding package of £1.5bn forecast to deliver the Bee Network as a whole across Greater Manchester.
Chris Boardman, Cycling and Walking Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said:
“We have shortlisted 25 new schemes which will deliver huge benefits – making cycling and walking a real choice for many, improving people’s health and helping to tackle congestion and poor air quality...The Bee network will be transformational for Greater Manchester and will deliver real benefits for everyone. I believe the number and scale of the schemes we have now got in development really shows our commitment and ambition and we are determined to deliver."
The paper also provides an update on the 57 schemes that have already been approved for programme entry, as well as outlining how the Mayor’s initial funding commitment of £160M from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, will be prioritised and spent.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, commented:
“Cycling and walking will play a key role in our plans to rise to the climate challenge in Greater Manchester, as a part of a London-style integrated transport system.
The Bee Network will open up active travel for thousands of people who are currently trapped in their cars. But, to make the Bee Network a reality, we need the Government to get behind it and help fund its continued expansion.”
The Bee Network was launched in June of this year, with a wave of proposals already announced. See maps of proposals across Greater Manchester here.
Discover more about Greater Manchester's work in Handshake on its dedicated page.
Image (Transport for Greater Manchester) by: Transport for Greater Manchester
