Trafford Council has issued an update to residents over a controversial scheme on Greater Manchester’s most dangerous road for cyclists.

Members of the public are being urged to submit their views over plans to keep and improve the existing layout of the scheme on the A56 Chester Road – as town hall bosses bid to boost cyclist and pedestrian safety.

Temporary cycle lanes were installed on Chester Road and Edge Lane in the early stages of the pandemic in 2020.

But they have sparked anger from some road users with one ‘frustrated’ thief stealing more than 600 traffic cones used to mark the ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes on the A56.

Police are investigating the theft of the cones from the two-kilometre stretch of road.

A petition launched in 2021 to get rid of the cones amassed almost 3,000 signatures and prompted a debate at Trafford Council, which has said it is working on an ‘alternative’.

The borough’s Tory group leader Nathan Evans, who represents the Hale Barns and Timperley South ward, said recently: “I think this is possibly just frustration from residents. And I totally understand it. I don’t condone it. But when the council is totally deaf to appeals from the residents for normal behaviour, I get it. I think there are better ways of doing this.”

Mr Evans said the cycle lanes had been done in a ‘ham-fisted’ way, adding: “There’s clearly a problem but the way they are treating cyclists, it’s totally ridiculous. Maybe we can’t afford (proper cycle lanes) but if we are going to do it, let’s do it properly.”

A spokesperson for Trafford council said: “The cones were removed overnight on Monday July 10. This incident was reported to Greater Manchester Police and we will be working with them going forward on the matter.

“The cones were fully replaced the following morning. We are actively working with our partners to bring forward an alternative to the cones and will provide an update on those proposals shortly.”

In 2019, police data showed the A56 was the most dangerous routes for cyclists with 67 incidents on the road between 2015 and 2017.

Trafford council’s current consultation on the scheme is open until September 10.

Proposals include the following:

  • Existing temporary cycle lanes along the A56 Stretford to be replaced by cycle lane bollards separating the cycle land and the main road. This is from the A56/Talbot Road junction to a point just north of the M60 Junction 7
  • A new buffer strip between cycle paths through the gyratory island at Barton Road and a new crossing at the traffic lights on the northern side to allow safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists
  • Cycle lanes that run between bus stop lay-bys and the main road
  • The A56 southbound to go back to two lanes of traffic at the Davyhulme Road junction
  • New vehicle loading restrictions on the A56 (no loading or unloading at any time)