Plans to connect suburbs to Stockport town centre

A consultation has been launched into plans for a new walking and cycle route to connect the suburbs to Stockport town centre.The route would connect the Heatons and a new crossing is proposed close to the Elizabethan Pub and St Mary’s and St Mina’s Church in Heaton Moor.The project looks to make permanent a temporary measure introduced in summer 2020 by Stockport Council, which installed a temporary route along quieter streets between Heaton Chapel and the town centre.This was delivered through the national Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF), which enabled local authorities to use temporary interventions to encourage travel on foot or by bike. This was whilst maintaining social distancing and avoiding overcrowding on public transport.Various changes were made following feedback from residents, including the removal of the temporary signals at Heaton Chapel railway station.Now the council has developed proposals to turn the EATF temporary route into a permanent scheme.If approved, the scheme would be funded by the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund.In addition to the Heatons to Stockport route, Transport for Greater Manchester is consulting on proposals to relocate and upgrade a crossing on Manchester Road in Heaton Chapel. This is close to the junctions of Bourne Street and All Saint’s Road.