Rochdale backing Made To Move campaign

Cleaner air and less traffic, a reduction in obesity and better fitness, or more funds for the NHS and living longer.

These are but a few of the benefits associated with using the car less, and walking or cycling more – and Rochdale is fully on board with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority's campaign to encourage these very actions.

The 10-year Made to Move campaign has been designed to encourage more people across Greater Manchester walk or cycle, the natural choice for short journeys. Described as “an incredibly ambitious but wholly deliverable plan”, all 10 leaders of the boroughs across the region – including Rochdale – resolved to “welcome the presentation and strongly support and commend the GM Cycling and Walking Strategy”.

The initiative was presented by December 2017 by the first Cycling and Walking Commissioner of Greater Manchester, Chris Boardman, who was appointed following the election of Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.

A motion was unanimously passed at a Rochdale Council meeting earlier this year in support of the initiative, which has the potential to improve everyone’s quality of life whilst refreshing our built environment and tackling inactivity, congestion, pollution and even potholes.

Some of our local councillors told Rochdale Online why they chose to support the campaign:

Councillor Phil Burke, transport spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The evidence shows that walking or cycling for short journeys can bring about huge improvements to people’s health and wellbeing. That’s why councillors unanimously passed a motion in February to support the excellent Made to Move campaign. 

“We are already investing in improved cycling routes across the borough such as the visionary £750,000 project to improve the link between Heywood and Middleton. We will continue to work with the Greater Manchester Mayor and Chris Boardman to get more people on their bikes and turn the Made to Move vision into a reality.”

Councillor John Taylor commented: "I fully support the Made to Move strategy, both in terms of personal health and fitness and also because of the positive impact it makes on reducing pollution."

Councillor Peter Malcolm, of West Heywood ward, said: “This a bold effort to change the way we use and enter our city and town centres. Providing safe cycling routes would be a significant step forward in changing the car culture and in turn, leave a better air quality for the next generation.

“This will not be a quick fix and that is demonstrated by the 10-year plan, but it is vital we do start the sea of change and get people out of cars walking and cycling to school, work and leisure.”

Milnrow and Newhey councillor Irene Davidson said: “I fully support the cycling and walking strategy; as a governor of two schools and a member of many clubs, I see what walking and cycling can do for peoples’ lives.”

Littleborough Lakeside ward councillor Ann Stott said: “I heartily endorse any activity which encourages people to participate and spend time outdoors. This includes all age groups from the very young upwards - it is far better for all concerned to participate in such activities than spend hours indoors focused on static interests.

“My own childhood, as no doubt many others, was outdoor-based walking, riding and generally exploring the countryside.”

Newly-elected for South Middleton ward, Councillor Patricia Dale said: “The reason I agreed to support the “Made to Move” strategy is because of my belief that being and keeping active not only improves physical well-being, but it also has a very positive impact on mental well-being. If we want to improve the nation’s health, we need to get them moving.”

Councillor Janet Emsley, of Littleborough Lakeside ward, said: “I pledged my support in March and encouraged my colleagues to do the same. 

“Personally, I have actively encouraged cycleways, the Daily Mile and other walking activities. I’ve always done the fun run for the Rochdale Half Marathon, supporting the ‘Get GM Moving’ initiative.

“I have worked with local primary schools to encourage walking buses, to discourage unnecessary driving to school, to take action on traffic and parking around schools - all of which are part of the strategy.

“I alert police officers and parking attendants to road safety issues, park problems and anti-social road use (partly through social media and directly).

“All of this, I hope, contributes to the GM Made to Move strategy, if only in a small way.”

Healey ward councillor Kieran Heakin said: “I voted in favour of the GM 'Made to Move' strategy as soon as it was available and I am deeply in favour of all that it contains.

" The Made to Move strategy has the same basic aims as the ‘Valley of Stone Cycleway’, a project I also support, which aims to develop a cycle route from Rossendale Town Hall through to Rochdale Town Hall.  

“Rossendale and Rochdale are two of the most problematic areas in the UK for ill health caused by unhealthy lifestyles. 

“This will contribute to the delivery of local and national transport policies by encouraging walking and cycling for short journeys.  It will assist social cohesion by creating and strengthening outdoor access links between and within communities through the creation and promotion of these paths and links. 

"It will also help to contribute to the delivery of local and national health policies by providing opportunities for people to more easily incorporate walking and cycling and physical activity into their daily life for fitness and health.

“All of these points add up to making a widespread contribution towards the health of the local community.  

"Rossendale Council has already made great moves in the development of the cycleway, and some of their sections are exemplary.

“In Rochdale we are somewhat behind in this project.

"That is why we need the ‘Made to Move’ strategy to finish the route off from Whitworth to Rochdale Town Hall. It can also be the launch pad for many other cycle and walking routes in the town. 

“However, it does give even more emphasis to reclaiming the school run. If we can encourage more children to walk or bike to school, it can do only good. 

"To achieve that we need dedicated cycling and walking routes. We need a vision for the future and Chris Boardman has provided that vision.

“I hope that the ‘Made to Move’ strategy can be delivered as soon as possible. Our young children are facing an obesity and health epidemic, and this could well be the game changer that keeps us all fit and healthy.”

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