The Greater Manchester Cycling and Walking Commissioner Chris Boardman has launched a wide-ranging public consultation on the proposed Beelines scheme, to reduce traffic congestion on the region’s roads through improved cycling and walking routes. The proposed network is not primarily for people who already cycle or walk for the majority of their journeys – instead, its focus is to enable the two thirds of people who currently use their car as their main mode of transport, to walk or cycle. More details of the proposals can be found on the TfGM website.
The Whalley Range Labour councillors would like to hear the views of local residents on the scheme, and have organised a drop-in consultation session, to be held on Saturday 22nd September from 11.30am-1pm at Manley Park Methodist Church, 82 Cromwell Ave, Manchester M16 0BG. Continue reading
Transport
Cycling upgrade for Upper Chorlton Road coming soon
Mary, Angeliki and Aftab cycle on Upper Chorlton Road
Councillor Angeliki Stogia says “This new corridor will be welcome news for Whalley Range cyclists in particular, but all road users will benefit from improvements which encourage more people to cycle in and out of the city centre instead of driving, especially during the rush hours.”
More details and timescales will be posted on the website as they become available.
GMP cycling initiative – don’t get too close
Greater Manchester Police, along with other police authorities around the country, want to raise awareness of the dangers of ‘close passing’ – when motorists overtake cyclists dangerously without keeping a safe distance.
GMP invited Whalley Range councillor Angeliki Stogia along to the launch exercise of the GMP Pedal Cycle Close Pass Initiative this morning. Plain clothes officers rode special bikes equipped with movie cameras, and motorists who failed to give safe clearance were pulled over and offered on-the-spot education on how to pass cyclists safely. Those who refused or had committed an offence were reported and may face a day at the courts. Drivers without insurance or using their phones while driving were also pulled in.
Angeliki, seen here talking to one of the officers assisting the operation, says “I strongly support this police initiative. Continue reading
Withington Rd bus featured in the MEN
Following our earlier post about the 85A bus route, the Manchester Evening News have also featured the new service, with a nice photo of two of our councillors (Angeliki Stogia and Aftab Razaq) along with other local residents who led the successful campaign.
Councillors continue to raise questions
At the full meeting of the Council on 30 November, Whalley Range Councillors Mary Watson and Angeliki Stogia raised questions with Council Executive members over progress with road gulley cleaning, flytipping and recycling rates following the introduction of new bins. Click on the images to follow the web cam recordings of the questions and responses. Continue reading