Two new cycling and walking schemes are to be built in Tameside as part of the multi-million pound Bee Network.
The cabinet has approved plans to create new routes in Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge, which will be funded as part of the Mayor’s Challenge Fund.
Tameside has 12 schemes as part of the fund, championed by Olympian Chris Boardman, totalling almost £12m. However these are the first two to progress to breaking ground.
The Ashton plans will see a cycle route created from the A627 Cavendish Street to the A6017 Stockport Road, via Hill Street, Victoria Street and Trafalgar Square.
The scheme, which will cost £326k, will link towards the Peak Forest Canal, which runs to the boundary with Stockport by way of Hyde.
Cabinet member for transport, Councillor Warren Bray said it would ‘cut out two very large major junctions for cyclists and walkers’.
The second project will be delivered in Stamford Park in Stalybridge, connecting down to Mossley Road, at a cost of £360k.
It will provide links to Lake View, Mellor Road and across to Tameside Hospital.
A parallel cycle and pedestrian crossing is to be created which will allow people to cross Mossley Road safely to reach Rose Hill Road.
A 20mph zone is also to be extended to provide access through this ‘quiet route’ to residential areas north-east of Ashton.
The improvements will see a ‘shared use’ path constructed on the west side of the fishing lake in the park.
Director of operations and neighbourhoods Ian Saxon said: “They’re quite significant schemes.
“This is a good news story in terms of drawing down the money and these are fully funded schemes by the Mayor’s Challenge Fund.
“This is to actually start the work on the ground.”
Subject to approval by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, works could start on the projects in January.
Council leader Brenda Warrington added: “Pleasing to know that we’re actually seeing them materialise after all the talking about them.”
The Bee Network, once complete, will cover around 1,800 miles and be the longest, integrated network in the country, which is aimed to connect every ‘neighbourhood and community’ across Greater Manchester.
