ANOTHER cycle lane in Trafford has been reduced as the authority continues to review its temporary pop-up lanes.

The seven-mile lane along the A56 through Trafford was heralded as one of the longest cycle lanes in Greater Manchester at the start of lockdown, with one lane of the main road closed off to cars for cyclists and pedestrians to safely use the route.

But the move has become controversial, with strong feelings on both sides regarding the lanes’ future.

Now part of the cycle lane has been moved back from the Ashfield Road junction in Sale to the Dane Road junction of the A56 “to help traffic flow”.

Last week, within 48 hours, the Timperley extension of the cycle lane had also been cut back, for similar reasons.

Drivers have been left furious by the long tailbacks and gridlock that lane closures have caused, with traffic levels continuing to rise as lockdown eases.

But some commuters praised the lane setup, with one cyclist saying he felt safe for the first time in almost 40 years of using the A56 to get to work.

The council says it has been reviewing its cycle lanes in the area based on traffic data.

The lanes had originally been installed during the pandemic as a result of calls from the government to provide more road space for cycling and walking. One intention was to provide a through route to Manchester city centre.

Cllr Andrew Western, council leader, said: “Since the easing of lockdown, the traffic situation in Sale was becoming unmanageable so we have taken the decision to pull back the cycle lanes to Dane Road.

“We followed Government advice to re-designate road space for walking and cycling and the scheme progressed with only minimal disruption to traffic in the initial stages. This has now changed so we have listened to people’s opinions and acted accordingly.”