Councillor Craig Browne, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Highways & Transport Policy Committee, recently attended the official opening of the new cycleway on Alderley Road.
The £1m scheme has been largely funded through the Local Enterprise Partnership's Local Growth Fund (£900,000) with a funding contribution of £100,000 from Cheshire East Council.
Councillor Craig Browne said " The cycleway follows the modern design concept of a "shared space" scheme, without segregation for cyclists and pedestrians; however, four pedestrian/cycling symbols are to be added to the surface of the new route to advise users that it is intended for shared use.
"I am pleased to confirm that a number of further positive features have been included within the scheme:
- a wild flower verge is being created between the cycleway and the road surface
- a raised table has been introduced as a traffic calming measure at the entrance to Fulshaw Park South
- a new bus shelter has been installed, just after the junction with Fulshaw Park South
- the old bus shelter has been up-cycled as a team "dug out" at Wilmslow Rugby Club
- the bench by Fulshaw Park South has been refurbished using recycled materials
"Furthermore, advantage was taken during the closure of Alderley Road to carry out some drainage works that have long since plagued this gateway to Alderley Edge and Wilmslow. Two existing gully connections on the north bound lane were found to have collapsed and these have now been diverted to a combined United Utilities combined drainage system, whilst additional combined drainage kerbs have also been installed at the junction with Fulshaw Park South.
"Royal London will also replace a 750mm culvert within the boundary of the land under their ownership and will be renewing all gully connections on the southbound lane, as part of their planning agreement. I have also received confirmation from Cheshire East Highways that the road markings on the southbound approach to the Whitehall Bridge Roundabout will be refreshed over the coming weeks."
Comments
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You’ve missed out and for parked vehicles which share most pavements.
Designed by idiots that clearly don’t cycle and seem to be oblivious to the fact that many pedestrians walk whilst staring at their mobile phone, Facebook first, safety second.
The direction towards Alderley Edge is still full of potholes and detritus.
The direction towards Wilmslow has a cycle lane in the road, then towards the roundabout switches to the wide pavement instead of narrowing the pavement and keeping the cycle lane in the road. Consistency is key, not switching.
£1 million pounds and a wasted opportunity.
I have specifically crossed Wilmslow to look at this and my conclusion was that it could be good when it is finished.
I can not see how shared pedestrian / cyclist space can ever work.
Cyclist need a safe space away from traffic to move quickly- cycle lanes are not meant to cater for liesure cyclists; they are meant for people who want to get to somewhere quickly.
Pedestrians need a safe space where silent fast moving cyclists do not hit them from behind.
I have followed the development argument closely and I am just so disappointed at the final conclusion.
The new wide footpath urgently needs a coned off lane for cyclists.
I can not believe that what has been delivered will ever be used by cyclists.
Similarly, non seen between the train station and the leisure centre.
Perhaps owners of electric scooters will benefit.
What’s done is done. Much of it makes sense. Money well spent? There was no choice from what I have read.
Stay safe! It’s not easy at times on a bike in Wilmslow - written as a former cyclist with the scars to prove it.
Whatever, I no longer ride a bike but struggle to walk on two sticks, frightened to death of cyclists coming at me from the rear.
Good news to hear that work has been done on the drainage issues and pleased to hear Royal London will be at last facing up to their responsibilities as land owners.
We are lucky also to have a vélodrome on our doorstep so for the serious cyclists this could be a better option
But for those of us who prefer a steadier pace it is a good compromise
The French are not renowned for their patience and take their cycling seriously but when it comes to path sharing they cannot be faulted
Share and share alike!
I see there are no bollards, making the designation inconsistent with the plans for Manchester Rd. And did this really cost £1m?
conflating words again Gary!
I object to bollards defacing our environment on gateway routes into our town. Like many commentators on the Alderley Rod section, I said the grossly expensive £1 million scheme here was confusing and why were orange bollard deemed necessary for the Manchester road section but not on Alderley Road? This is NOT NIMBYism on my road.