Controversial cycle lane decision delayed again

The decision on extending a controversial cycle lane has been delayed again.

The second phase of the ‘active travel scheme’ between Castleton and Rochdale was recommended for approval, but Rochdale Council’s cabinet ‘did not feel comfortable’ doing so. The plan to ‘regenerate street spaces’, extend the segregated cycle lanes to Rochdale and upgrade major junctions along the A58 Manchester Road was deferred on 28 May for the second successive cabinet meeting.

Work on the previous phase of the cycle lanes in the centre of Castleton concluded in February this year.

New crossings to improve safety and new, ‘optimised’ lights to control traffic flow and ‘speed up journey times’ are included in the phase 2 proposals. But back in March, councillors said they wanted the scheme to go out to further consultation.

Councillor Liam O’Rourke, portfolio holder for corporate, governance and transformation, said: “I don’t feel comfortable with this report. I’m struggling to see any consultation from disability groups.

“Can I suggest this should be deferred until that is done, and done properly.”

Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of the council, concurred – telling the meeting in Number One Riverside how he had seen representations from blind and disability groups.

This will be music to the ears of Rochdalian Kevin Greenan, who previously spent an hour with the Local Democracy Reporting Service in Castleton pointing out a number of flaws with the cycle lane, which he feels is a barrier to his life. Kevin claimed the works from the first phase were ‘dangerous and discriminatory’.

Read more: Visually impaired campaigners say controversial cycle scheme is unsafe for themPublished: 27 April 2024

When the ‘phase two’ plans were put to a survey in September last year, around 70 per cent of respondents opposed the plans amid concerns the first phase had led to the closure of businesses. Manchester Road was blighted by traffic problems last year due to roadworks related to the cycle lanes installation – leading to uproar from local motorists and businesses.

Some people in Castleton have said they feel ignored by a council they claim is determined to impose a plan. Residents previously told the LDRS they believed the last set of roadworks, which were in place for far longer than expected, stopped people pulling up to pop into shops, impacting on local businesses.

The Smiths Bakery, based on Manchester Road, closed down one of two shops on the street due to an apparent drop in passing trade. The next phase will not impact businesses as much, but locals are still concerned about a possible increase in traffic – and the inevitable roadworks.

 

 

Despite this, the £9.1m project from the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Challenge Fund was recommended for approval by council officers on 28 May. That decision will now be made at a future meeting once consultation with the relevant charities is completed.

If phase 2 is given the green light by the council’s cabinet, the scheme will go to Transport for Greater Manchester chiefs for final sign-off.

A number of junctions are in line for improvements – including Manchester Road and Bolton Road; Manchester Road and Roch Valley Way; and Manchester Road and Drake Street. A new crossing will be created across Manchester Road to Highfield Hospital, with the existing subway filled in.

A new cycle lane will be created to extend the existing cycle lane in Castleton from The Royal Toby hotel into Rochdale town centre. To ensure no parking bays or road space are lost, the lane will utilise large stretches of Old Manchester Road, which runs parallel to Manchester Road.

New greenery and benches would be introduced along Old Manchester Road, alongside 20mph speed limits and road humps. If approved, work on the scheme is expected to begin later this year, with the entire project due for completion in 2026. If the scheme is approved, detailed traffic management plans will be drawn up to ensure that disruption, while inevitable, will be kept to an absolute minimum.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter