A new cycle route on a major desire line: Bridgewater Way in Trafford

Bridgewater Canal: A bit of history The 3 rd Duke of Bridgewater opened the canal in 1761 The first ‘modern’ canal in Britain – the start of the canal age Linked the Duke’s coal mines at Worsley to Manchester and Liverpool Approximately 12 miles of the canal lies within modern day Trafford

What’s the Bridgewater Way? Ultimately: 40-mile traffic free route for pedestrians and cyclists on the Bridgewater canal towpath In Trafford - a particularly valuable utility/leisure route linking Altrincham, Sale Stretford, Trafford Park and Manchester city centre

Manchester City Centre Geographical Context

Bridgewater Way in Trafford Approx 3 miles currently upgraded and open, plus significant upgrades to access points and routes (phases 1-3) Funding now secured for a further 6 miles of towpath, plus associated access points and routes (phases 4-6) Will form the spine of Trafford’s walking and cycling network

Funding Mix – phases 1-6 Total cost of phases 1-6 = approx £4.75m (includes towpath, access and highway works)

Funding Mix – phases 4-6 Total cost of phases 4-6 = approx £2.5m (includes towpath, access and highway works)

Governance/Management Project Steering Group:  Chaired by Cllr Ken Weston  Peel (canal owners and managers and funding partners)  Trafford Council (highway authority and funding partners)  Transport for Greater Manchester (LSTF funding managers) Supported by Project Technical Group  Peel  Trafford  Consulting engineers/contractors as appropriate Trafford Cycle Forum: key advisory/consultee role throughout

Key Features/spec  Built to Sustrans NCN and Greenway design standards  Minimum 1.8m path width  Tarmac spray and chip surface  Brief to improve existing or provide new access points  Ongoing maintenance commitment from canal owners  Signage both on the tow path and to/from the tow path via all accesses  Consultation with and support from Trafford Cycle Forum throughout  Principle that cyclists give way to pedestrians

Images

Results from phases 1-3

Images

Results from phases 1-3

Summary of Monitoring Results: Average increase in cyclists: 370% Average increase in pedestrians: 80%

Did you know? More Greater Manchester residents now commute by bike (25,042) than by Metrolink (15,742) (Census 2011)