Oldham Council has secured funding worth £652,180 to build four cycle and pedestrian crossings in the borough – aimed at improving safety and making journeys for pedestrians and cyclists easier.

The funding, which will come from the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund, has been formally accepted by Oldham Council’s Cabinet.

Recent Government figures show Oldham has the sixth lowest cycling rate in England and the lowest in Greater Manchester.

ALSO READ: Figures show Oldham has sixth lowest cycling rate in England.

The sites for the new crossings are:

  • Salmon Fields, Royton (at the linear path)
  • Wellyhole Street, Lees (at the linear path)
  • Well-i-Hole Road, Greenfield (at the linear path)
  • Well-i-Hole Road/Manchester Road, Greenfield (fully signalising the junction with provision of pedestrian and cyclist crossing facilities)

The sites were chosen because crossings at these points will improve walking and cycling infrastructure and connectivity.

All the crossings will have pedestrian and cycle facilities.

Crossings at Wellyhole Street, Huddersfield Road, and Manchester Road will have horse crossings, too.

The improvements to the crossings are part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network.

This network, once complete, will cover around 1,800 miles and be the longest, integrated, planned network in the country connecting every neighbourhood of Greater Manchester.

Launched as an active travel initiative, the Bee Network has now expanded to include the integration of Greater Manchester’s public transport system, including buses and trams.

At a press conference earlier this month, Mayor Andy Burnham said the active travel aspect of the network would continue to play an important role and would be integrated into the rest of the new Bee Network.

He also said a new cycle route from Oldham to Rochdale and Ashton would be created alongside an improved bus corridor.

ALSO READ: Plans for ‘gold standard’ cycle route from Rochdale to Ashton via Oldham.

Cllr Amanda Chadderton, leader of Oldham Council, said: “Busy crossings are one of the biggest barriers for people making short journeys on foot, on a bike, with young children or in a wheelchair.”

“Making sure people feel safe and confident when around busy roads is one of the most important things we as a council can do to get more people out of their cars and walking, wheeling or cycling.

“To create a fully integrated Bee Network with proper active travel infrastructure we need to listen to what residents are telling us and tackle these barriers now.”

Work is expected to begin on the crossings this autumn and will be finished before the end of the financial year.