People can now have their say on the future of the controversial pop-up cycle lanes along the A56 and beyond in Trafford.
Trafford council has now opened a public consultation into the future of temporary lanes across the borough, first introduced last year during the pandemic with government funding.
The lanes proved incredibly divisive as soon as they were introduced with strong opinions both from those in favour and against them.
Those in favour celebrated the environmental benefits of more cycle lanes across the borough and the safer cycling options they offer. Those against lamented the loss of a traffic lane along the A56 and blamed increased congestion in the area on the pop-up cycle lanes.
The six-week consultation, which ends on December 17, will give residents the opportunity to give their feedback on the lanes.
The lanes are situated on the A56 Chester Road, Bridgewater Way and Edge Lane, Stretford and were introduced in 2020 to encourage social distancing and promote active travel like cycling and walking.
They were paid for by time-limited cash from central government.
People can have their say by visiting this website here.
Options on the table include replacing the lanes with a shared bus/cycle lane, having cycle lanes only or removing the lanes altogether.
A short section of the lanes has already been removed due to safety concerns and to improve traffic flow along the north-bound lane on the A5145 Edge Lane, where it joins the A56. The longer lane on the rest of Edge Lane remains in place.
The council said the consultation is not intended to be a referendum but aims to gauge viewpoints from the public and identify new and relevant information to consider when finalising a decision on the pop-up cycle lanes’ future.
Coun Stephen Adshead, Trafford council’s executive member for the environment, said: “The temporary cycle lanes were installed during the early lockdown as part of a campaign by the government and local authorities to promote active travel and social distancing as well as helping with clean air priorities.
“The situation has changed in that more cars are back on the roads and we have to assess how we manage this increased traffic while also supporting active travel. I would encourage all residents to take part in the consultation. We want you to give us your views on the cycle lanes and offer your ideas and opinions going forward.
“Every view is important to us, so please take the time to take part in the consultation and have your voice heard. It is important that we get as many views as possible.”
The consultation ends on December 17, 2021. Trafford council will be releasing the results of the consultation shortly after that date.
