Warm Welcome to Walk Ride Gatley
We’re delighted to reveal our newest group within the Walk Ride family, Walk Ride Gatley.
You can meet them and share your ideas on how to improve the community together, as well as signing up to their mailing list and getting involved directly with future activities, by visiting their stall at Gatley Festival on Sunday 2 July, or emailing gatley@walkridegm.org.uk.
They have already been busy making those improvements for pedestrians – by working with TfGM, Walk Ride Gatley has succeeded in fixing the timings to the pedestrian crossing on the A34. Previously the signals for the northbound lanes were turning red more than 30 seconds before the traffic was released, meaning that pedestrians crossing from Cheadle to Gatley were either forced to wait in the central reservation (sucking up five lanes of traffic fumes) or risk crossing on red.
If you have a crossing that’s prioritising cars near you, then let TfGM know – details of how to do this are in our Call to Action.
Prestwich & Whitefield Progress
Another group affecting positive changes to pedestrian crossings is Walk Ride Prestwich & Whitefield. The group received a successful response from TfGM following their request to reduce waiting times at two pedestrian crossings on Bury New Road.
WRPW have also engaged with several recent consultations on their communities’ behalf, including:
- M60 J18 Simister Interchange to press for early delivery of cycling schemes – with or without the main roadbuilding – through National Highways Designated Funds
- Prestwich Regeneration
They have also linked up with Prestwich Environmental Forum (including at their AGM) and are due to speak with the Bury Times very soon.
The group is also helping local cyclists via Dr Bike maintenance sessions at various locations in the area, and helping Bury Homeless Project by donating pre-owned bikes that have been repaired and serviced.
Rochdale Active Travel Forum Updates
There was some good news at the recent Active Travel Forum
Your Trust Rochdale is running bicycle engagement sessions on Thursdays at Bowlee Park. So far they’ve been well attended, with a particular focus on people with mobility issues or long-term health conditions. Anyone wishing to attend should pre-book.
Rochdale Council is looking for schools to take part in school streets trials – here’s our rundown of why these initiatives are crucial to civilise the school run. In the meantime, Rochdale Council is engaging with secondary schools about the youth travel ambassadors (YTA) programme, which will provide young people aged 11 to 19 with the skills and confidence to address transport issues affecting their school community. With support from a TfGM Active Travel Officer and school staff, YTA teams of 6-12 pupils will research and develop behaviour change campaigns, focusing on active travel.
Promising Political Changes and Amazing School Street Success for Bolton
Following the May elections, Walk Ride Bolton has held promising early communications with the new Exec Cabinet, and both the new Executive Member for Climate Change and Environmental Services, Cllr Richard Silvester, and the new Leader of the Council, Cllr Nick Peel, have indicated a commitment to active travel.
In terms of progress on the ground, St Peter’s School in Farnworth launched its first trial school street on 20 June – and it was a resounding success:
Wow. St Peter’s community truly shone this morning. The first trial of #schoolstreet was an amazing success! Safer, cleaner, greener streets around school. Such positive comments. Thank you all so so much! Community spirit at its best! @BrightLeadChris @LambyLee @TheYusufAtcha pic.twitter.com/KNShsdP2mF
— St.Peter’s Farnworth 👩🎓💖✨ (@stpetersfarn) June 20, 2023
Stockport Elections Victory for Active Travel
There were also some promising signs for the Stockport area after the May elections, as many of the candidates who responded positively to our questionnaire were rewarded with election to office for the next two years, providing time to seize on opportunities to make improvements across the borough.
We will soon be inviting them to experience some of the region’s best practice designs via a Cycling Infrastructure Safari – like the one we undertook earlier this year:
We made a video about our cycle tour yesterday – enjoy! pic.twitter.com/htWw9XlimR
— Walk Ride GM (@WalkRideGM) April 23, 2023
If you would like more information about our local groups, please contact Ian via content@walkridegm.org.uk.