Last summer, Manchester City Council consulted users of the Fallowfield Loop (which runs along the south border of Whalley Range ward) about their priorities for planned improvement work.

Muqaddasah Bano, Whalley Range Labour’s candidate in the May local elections, says “There were over 5,200 responses to the consultation – it’s really good that so many people took the time to write in. It’s taken a long time just to process all these submissions – now we need to move forward with the work”.

Councillor Angeliki Stogia has been overseeing the consultation process. She explains “There’s a £4.9m project underway to enhance the Fallowfield Loop and the link to the Ashton Canal known as the ‘yellow brick road’. We know from the consultation that users want us to improve access points and signage and increase lighting to address security concerns, though without detracting from the rural feel of the route or harming biodiversity”.

Advance works started in December and more stages will get underway in late Spring. The project is part of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Challenge Fund programme, which has been established to support the delivery of new walking and cycling infrastructure across the region.  Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, said: “We’ve seen throughout lockdown how popular these local routes have become and how vital they have been in providing a space where people can get out for some fresh air and take a mental break. We have seen first-hand how important access to urban greenspace on our doorstep is and the vast response to the consultation only confirms that.”