Green Light for Road-safety Schemes

A SCHEME to increase safety on the residential roads south of Stamford Street East, Ashton, by preventing their use as a rat-run by drivers seeking to avoid traffic queues, has been given the green light.

Tameside Council’s executive cabinet has also agreed to create an improved off-highway cycle and pedestrian route between the Ashton Moss Metrolink stop on Lord Sheldon Way and the old railway line adjacent to Heron Drive, Audenshaw.

Both projects are part of the (Greater Manchester) Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund, which is being used to establish the Bee Network, a 1,800 mile route connecting every neighbourhood and community across the city region. Once complete it will be the longest, integrated, planned network in the country.

These plans will provide better connectivity between residential areas, schools, employment and leisure opportunities in Tameside; add additional access via Ashton Moss, and link with existing and proposed walking and cycle provision to create a cohesive active travel network in the borough.

The Stamford Street scheme aims to reduce the volume and speed of traffic on the residential streets as well as promoting walking and cycling by providing safe crossings.

It extends from Currier Lane to Stamford Drive (Stalybridge) via Granville Street, Rutland Street, Corkland Street, Frederick Street and Clarence Street, which will become a quiet streets active travel route.

Improvements include a new toucan crossing on Clarence Street, and a raised table and reduced kerbs on Stamford Drive to cut vehicle speeds.

Cllr Laura Boyle, Tameside Council’s executive member for housing, homelessness, planning, transport and connectivity, said: “The safety to our roads and improved traffic-calming measures will encourage our residents to feel safer and become more active if they choose to do so.

“The two projects will do a great deal to make walking and cycling more appealing by calming and cutting traffic, which in turn will reduce pollution.

“I know people living near Rutland Street and Frederick Street will welcome the Stamford Street scheme as their lives have long been blighted by drivers darting along double-parked residential roads as they race to beat the lights and queues.”

The work is expected to start before autumn and take approximately six months to complete.