CHANGES and road closures are coming for Trafford’s walking and cycling routes since it secured £336,000 of funding.

The cash from the government is being used by the council and its contractor Amey to improve cycling and walking routes through the borough.

The authority has been working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester to decide where changes will be made.

The first set of changes are planned to be delivered by September 18.

A number of temporary measures have already been in place since the start of lockdown, with new pop-up cycle lanes along the A56 among them.

These have proved controversial so far with strong opinions both for and against the lanes.

One temporary lane, from Sale to Timperley, was even removed within 48 hours of it being installed due to a strong backlash from drivers, bus companies and some residents over increased traffic levels.

But 100 cyclists turned out on the A56 on two separate occassions this month calling for the lanes to be made permanent after three cyclists were killed on Trafford’s road network since January.

Cllr Dan Jerrome, deputy leader of the Green Party group in Trafford, said: “It’s great to pedal out again on the A56 with way over 100 people. We are at a turning point for active travel.

“Many residents are telling us they want safer and calmer streets and now this is backed by government money. We want the council to grasp this challenge, be forward thinking, and create safer choices for all. As lockdown eases and public transport is restricted we need to act quickly.”

The council’s new plan is set to help it deliver on its longer-term ambitions “for a cleaner and greener transport network".

Funding from the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund and additional government cash will be used.

The locations the council has selected for its new walking and cycling measures are Lostock Road, Urmston and part of Edge Lane, Stretford.

Pop up cycle lanes will also be sited on parts of Chester Road and Edge Lane, Stretford, and Marsland Road, Sale.

And modal filters, restricting vehicles, will operate in Oldfield Lane and Oxford Road/Peter Street, Altrincham, and Ashover Street, Gorse Avenue, Bradfield Road and Longford Park, Stretford, and Merwell Road, Urmston.

Views are being sought on the measure via a public survey, running until August 9.