Walk Ride GM’s newest subgroup has already made strides towards safer streets in the Blackley area since forming in late 2021.
Walk Ride Blackley was established by local residents in response to the car-centric status quo on the school run, to address antisocial driving and parking, and to generally be able to move more safely around the area’s streets and public realm.
Group founder and coordinator Antje says the aim is “to improve conditions for active travel and public transport in the Blackley area. Residents should have a good quality choice of getting safely from a-to-b without having to rely on a car.”
She adds that, “Improving active travel in the area will make all road users safer, improve air quality and therefore public health, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen the community.”
Getting Started
Antje describes how Walk Ride Blackley has progressed positively so far:
“The group has been meeting since September 2021. Since then we have organised one online meeting with the general public, one street audit of Victoria Avenue and Middleton Road with Blackley councillor Shelley Lanchbury – the immediate result from that was that the street markings will be renewed.
“Working with Bowker Vale Primary School, we got the class representatives of year 5 and year 6 to conduct a survey to parents on how children are getting to school. This was done during national Road Safety week in November.”
Group Objectives
Already, Walk Ride Blackley has set out a range of key objectives for 2022 and beyond:
- Become involved in the planning process for implementation of the Bee Network in Blackley – creating links between the community and decision-makers
- Introduce traffic calming and 20mph speed limits – including a number of locations already identified
- Tackle pavement parking – focus on school-run hours and key streets where enforcement is needed
- Improve and maintain off-road public footpaths – including Tweedle Commons, Boggart Hole Clough & more…
- Introduce segregated cycle lanes along the major road and enforce against obstruction – targeting Victoria Avenue, Middleton Road, Blackley New Road, and Rochdale Road
- Safe pedestrian crossings – including the forthcoming side road zebra crossings and key desire lines
- Public transport – involve residents in route-planning, frequent and reliable services, and connection with other modes of transport
Get Involved
To get involved, contact Antje via email on walkrideblackley@walkridegm.org.uk or via Twitter @WlkRideBlackley.
For advice on how you too could form a local Walk Ride group, visit our guide here.
One reply on “Walk Ride Blackley Makes Great Progress Following Launch”
Hi. Just been looking for a running group. But found your group.
I’m interested in any information. Because I cycle every Sunday and run in the Parkruns Heaton Park.
Recently seen that Vic Ave has been resurfaced with cycle lanes. But totally pointless as the majority have cars parked on them. Shame thought wasn’t put in and done the same as Greengate. Where the cycle lane comes out from the side to allow for parked cars. ??.