Work to bring Bee Network to Castleton starts

The first phase of delivering the Bee Network to Rochdale gets underway this month when work will start on Manchester Road in Castleton.

The work is part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network project that aims to develop a fully-integrated transport system for the region that includes walking and cycling.

New segregated cycle lanes are being created on Manchester Road, along with new footpaths, which will stretch from the Royal Toby Hotel to Castleton Railway Station.

Parking on both sides of Manchester Road will be removed and waiting restrictions will be altered to keep the cycleways clear.

After receiving feedback from more than 300 residents, the council said it would create more off-street parking spaces, with new car parks at Station Approach and Nixon Street, whilst the 77-space car park behind Castleton Community Centre will be made available for use by all.

The Castleton scheme, which is intended to eventually reach Rochdale town centre, is the largest single scheme in Greater Manchester. Castleton was, in part, selected for the project due to a lack of cycling infrastructure on the route, whilst meeting ‘basic needs’ for pedestrians.

It is hoped the scheme will improve air quality, road safety and people’s health.

As well as the new cycle lanes and footpaths, new crossing points will make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road. There will also be improved access to Castleton station.

A new community play park will also be built on land opposite Nixon Street.

The work will start at The Royal Toby Hotel and be carried out in stages to minimise disruption.

Some side roads will close temporarily but Manchester Road will remain open with traffic management signals in place.

Councillor Daniel Meredith, cabinet member for housing and highways at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Creating the Bee Network in Castleton will dramatically transform the area and create a safer, more connected community that offers choice of how to travel, where, for instance, children will be able to walk to school safely.

“Cyclists will be able to travel in a much safer environment, in their own dedicated space, away from traffic, reducing the likelihood of them being in an accident and making the activity far more pleasant.

“For both pedestrians and cyclists it will be safer to cross the road through the introduction of controlled traffic signals along the length of Manchester Road.”

The council will keep residents regularly updated on traffic management issues and timescales and will release further information as work progresses.