Cycle lane paused after thousands of locals object

3 hours ago

Declan CareyLocal Democrary Reporting Service

News image — Salford resident Richard Clarke says the proposed cycle lane would do more harm than good

LDRS Richard poses for the camera - along the pavement of the proposed cycle lane. He has shaven, grey hair. He is wearing a grey hoodie and there is a white van and a row of red brick houses over his right shoulder. — Salford resident Richard Clarke says the proposed cycle lane would do more harm than good

Plans to build an integrated cycle lane on a busy main road could be paused amid local backlash and weakening political appetite.

Liverpool Road in Salford, a major road for lorries accessing the M60, had been the proposed location for an "active travel" highway -turning part of the three-lane road into single lanes, alongside two cycle lanes and more green planting.

Some 3,000 residents have since signed a petition against the scheme - citing concerns around increasing congestion and backlogs in the event of motorway incidents.

Locals said "everyone is upset about it" because "narrowing the road would increase congestion" and it would be a "disaster" for the area.

A legal notice, the next step in the scheme's planning process, has been deferred by council officers until a suitable alternative has been made.

A Salford Council report admitted a scheme "of this type" would normally be approved, with it complementing the city's wider push for better walking and cycling routes, yet the body has since claimed there's "no local support" for the Peel Green scheme due to the amount of criticism and lack of support.

LDRS Picture of Liverpool Road, the hoped location of the scheme — The scheme would see part of the road turned into single lanes in each direction

The active travel scheme, designed to improve sustainable transport methods like cycling and walking, has come under additional criticism over its design.

Richard Clarke, 47, who lives on Liverpool Road, said he could not imagine cyclists using the road, even if new cycle lanes were built.

"It's pointless, it's all the disruption [it would cause], and if the road is narrower it would be even worse than it is now for traffic," he said.

Another resident, an 82-year-old who gave her name as Pat, said: "I think it's going to be a disaster, everyone is upset about it".

Despite the feedback, Harry Gray from Walk Ride GM, said council officers should go ahead with approval.

Gray said: "It happens with every single scheme like this, when it goes to consultation people do not want change, and they say they don't want it.

"But councils need to understand that delivering these schemes is popular in the long run once we get over the hill of hysteria."

A trial took place on the road in 2022 to study the impact of removing the middle lane.

While a survey found that journey time increased by 30 seconds between Barley Farm and Peel Green roundabout, concerns were raised about lengthy delays for local residents.

Ultimately, the decision over whether to approve the legal notice for the Peel Green active travel scheme will be made by Councillor Mike McCusker, the council's lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development.

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