The latest phase of public realm work in Altrincham town centre is progressing well, Trafford Council has announced.  

The changes involve improvements to roads, cycle paths and footpaths, and the reversal of Market Street’s one-way system next year.

Plants and trees, as well as outdoor seating areas, will also be added.

It follows a consultation of residents in August and September 2021, which saw a majority of positive responses towards the changes.

The works are part of a large-scale package of improvements to make the town centre an even better place to work, live and visit.

The latest works include parts of George Street receiving planters, seating on central spaces and high-quality paving to the shopfronts to include sustainable drainage and trees.

Additionally, the footpaths on Regent Road continue to be replaced before construction starts on segregated cycleways and ‘rain gardens’ – which will transform the look and feel of the road.

The upgrades have been put on hold for the Christmas period and will re-commence in early January through to spring.

The Market Street work, reversing the current one-way system, is due to commence in January 2023 with a number of improvements to create better pedestrian and cycling provision. 

The existing one-way system on Market Street will remain in place until late February 2023 when the direction of traffic will be reversed to help reduce the amount of drivers cutting through the town centre.

Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “These large scale public realm improvement works will continue the transformation of Altrincham to make the town an even better destination in which to live, work and shop. We are trying to minimise disruption as much as possible to create active travel facilities for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.”

All the public realm improvements in Altrincham are expected to be completed in June 2023.

Here is a list of the changes, according to Trafford Council:

  • George Street (by late 2022) – To be resurfaced to match Cross Street and Shaws Road. A number of outdoor seating areas to be added. 
  • Market Street (by late 2022) – The one-way system to be reversed to reduce speed, traffic and the amount of rat running on New Street.
  • Moss Lane (by late 2023) – To be resurfaced to match Cross Street and Shaws Road. The cycle path to be segregated. The footpath to be widened.
  • Regent Road (by late 2023) – To become one-way between Railway Street and Market Street. A contraflow, segregated cycle path to be added, as well as plants and trees.