Consultation opens for Castleton cycle lane

Plans to create a brand new cycle lane in Castleton are now out for public consultation, with residents able to review the plans and provide feedback to Rochdale Council.

The £1.2m proposals, to create a new lane stretching from Castleton railway station to the Royal Toby Hotel, are part of Greater Manchester’s plans to deliver 1,800 miles of cycling and walking routes across the city-region; the Bee Network.

Under the proposals, parking on both sides of Manchester Road will be removed and waiting restrictions will be altered to keep the cycleways clear, with the potential for off peak loading in cycle lanes. Under the current plans, the council is proposing to create a 32 space car park on brownfield land next to Castleton railway station to support those traveling by train and to replace the roadside parking lost.

As well as creating a new cycling lane in both directions, Castleton’s project will also see improvements made to crossing facilities, with points at Royle Barn Road/Manchester Road and Nixon Street/Manchester Road being upgraded to include dedicated cycling space.

Cycling parking stands and cycle repair hubs could also be introduced along the route to support those travelling by bike, in addition to new paving, street furniture and lighting, and, where possible, trees and planters.

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for quality of place, said: “This is the important first phase of a fantastic scheme which will eventually see the lane extended into Rochdale town centre.

“Giving people more options about how they travel around the borough is really important. It helps them stay connected to the places they need to be, while reducing the impact on the environment and helping support healthy choices. Covid has also really impacted the way people travel and made the need for this provision all the more important.”

The consultation follows Rochdale’s successful bid for more than £900,000 to the GM Active Travel Fund, which will create new cycling schemes in Milnrow town centre and Long Street in Middleton.
 

Read more: Funding granted for two new walking and cycling schemes in borough of RochdalePublished: 15 December 2020

The improvements are also part of wider council plans to revitalise the areas around the borough’s five railway stations as part of a brand new rail strategy.
 

Read more: Council announces plans for thousands of new homes as part of rail regenerationPublished: 22 April 2020

Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s Cycling & Walking Commissioner, says: “We know that when people are given the safe space to, they choose to walk and cycle more and Rochdale’s latest proposal delivers this, opening up the local area for those people who don’t have access to a car; enabling them to feel confident making local journeys to the shops, work, leisure facilities or to meet friends.

“This scheme proposal has been developed to benefit both residents and business owners in the area and to generally make Castleton centre a nicer place to be and visit, so I would urge people to get involved and have their say.”

Residents can access the consultation at:

• consultations.rochdale.gov.uk/research/the-bee-network-proposal-castleton/

They can submit feedback via the online portal, by emailing: highways@rochdale.gov.uk or posting comments to: FAO Castleton Corridor, Rochdale Borough Council, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU.

The consultation is set to close at midnight on Monday 15 February. If the proposals go forward in their current form, work is expected to start later this year.