COUNCIL bosses and partner Amey have looked at creating short and long-term options to improve the protected cycleway along the A56.

They are looking at Dane Road to Cornbrook Road in Trafford, and into Manchester, while retaining two lanes for motor vehicles.

The new proposal will seek to accommodate all users of the A56 from across Trafford and follows on from the council’s bold decision earlier this year, where one lane of the carriageway space used by vehicles was allocated to cyclists.

Temporary measures were put in place using £5m of emergency government funding made available to Greater Manchester Local Authorities, through the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund.

The phased approach of the short and long-term measures are coming into  effect from today, Tuesday, including temporary cones being removed in the short term from Dane Road to the Chester Road Recycling Centre (Stretford Tip), with a realignment of the road layout to provide protection through this section (to be undertaken as soon as possible, subject to funding)

Also it will see an upgrade to the existing temporary cones along the A56 to provide better cycling infrastructure from Chester Road Recycling Centre (Stretford Tip) to Talbot Road

Among the plans are temporary cones being removed through Gorse Hill along the A56, from Talbot Road to White City Circle, with a view of longer-term plans in the future and also an upgrade to the existing temporary cones along the route to provide better cycling infrastructure from White City Circle to Cornbrook Road.

The average daily number of people using the pop-up cycle lanes has increased from 102 in June 2020, to 336 in August 2020.

Cllr Steve Adshead, environment executive Member, said: “We have been monitoring the success of the pop-up cycle lanes and have listened to what the community would like now that the lockdown has eased. Moving forward we will be looking closely at how the adjusted measures will ease congestion along the route while protecting the most vulnerable road users.

"This will help us move towards a place that we want future generations to be able to enjoy, while protecting the integrity of all road users.”

One Trafford Partnership has presented new proposals for the A56 to Trafford Council for their analysis, with a view to the new plans being funded from the Emergency Active Travel Fund and Mayor’s Challenge Fund.

Further permanent measures are being considered along the carriageway due to the success of the pop-up cycle lanes. For more information visit www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-streets/Safe-streets-save-lives-in-Trafford.aspx or follow the conversation at @OneTrafford