PLANS to turn an area of Sale into an active neighbourhood are under consideration – but some residents are calling them 'crazy'.

The Walton Road Active Neighbourhood covers the area surrounded by Marsland Road to the north, Bridgewater Canal to the east, Newton Park to the south and Washway Road to the west.

Plans for this active neighbourhood include barriers to separate the area into three sections inaccessible by car from one another and bollards to stop pavement parking, as well as aesthetic additions such as plants and street art.

Messenger Newspapers: A map of the Walton Road Active Neighbourhood in Sale.A map of the Walton Road Active Neighbourhood in Sale.

Its idea is to address concerns raised during a consultation of more than 1,600 households last year, when residents complained of the speed and volume of traffic, the issue of parking and maintenance. Another aim is to make Walton Road and its surroundings a safe area for cyclists and pedestrians.

Before an active neighbourhood is implemented, Trafford Council and Transport for Greater Manchester are in the process of another consultation, with households invited to share their opinions on paper or online before March 6, or at an event at The LifeCentre on Wednesday next week.

But already, some residents have told The Messenger of their concerns about the scheme.

Colin Spragg, who lives on Stanley Mount, which is set to become a one-way street, said: "I didn't buy a house in the 60s to live on a cul-de-sac."

"I go down Walton Road to the post office, which I wouldn't be able to do. My dentist is also down there."

Mr Spragg, who is in his 80s, mentioned the trial of a similar scheme in the area around 30 years ago, which he described as 'an absolute disaster'.

He expressed concerns about bin collectors, delivery drivers and emergency services, who might find themselves unable to get to one section of the active neighbourhood from another section.

He said: "The police, the paramedics, they don't live here. None of them are going to know it's blocked.

"In the extra time, someone might die if it's a heart attack or if it's a stroke. It's only minutes, but the minutes make a difference. It's crazy to me."

Len Holmes, who also lives on Stanley Mount, suggested the scheme might make some of the issues it aims to tackle even worse.

The 70-year-old said: "It seems to be coming at the problem of reducing carbon dioxide in the wrong way. This is going to cause people to take a big diversion and lead to longer journeys.

"It has been tried before, maybe 30 years ago, but it didn’t work then and I don’t think it will work now."

To contribute to the consultation on the active neighbourhood, go to tinyurl.com/waltonroad-survey.

For information on the event at The LifeCentre on Wednesday, go to tinyurl.com/waltonroad-event.