The Mayor's Challenge Fund
Work has started on a Greater Manchester-wide programme to make journeys on foot or by bike much easier and more attractive.
The regional 'Bee Network' will be your one-stop-shop for all your local journeys, making it easier to get around. As well as a joined up public transport service, it will include the largest walking and cycling network in the UK.
A number of schemes in Stockport were initially subject to public consultation in October to November 2019. You can read the consultation report.
The area committees approved each proposal, and the delivery of the schemes, subject to individual funding, began in Autumn 2020.
The Heatons Links
A package of measures to create a series of quiet routes for pedestrians and cyclists between the Manchester Cycleway (Fallowfield Loop) and the Trans-Pennine Trail at Heaton Mersey. It includes:
- quiet residential streets
- off road paths
- new crossings to get across busy roads
Works are complete in Meadow Gardens. The bridge over the Black Brook has now been completed, which links to the new path that has been laid on Nelstrop Road North, that links to the Fallowfield Loop.
A new crossing on Wellington Road North, near to the McVities factory, has been installed, while a new Sparrow Crossing on Didsbury Road, close to the Griffin Hotel helps cyclists and walkers connect to the Trans Pennine Trail.
Funding has now been approved to create new routes in Heaton Mersey Common, which forms part of the Heatons Cycle Links.
This includes approximately 2km of path improvements with resurfacing and lighting of a north-south route between Cherry Holt Avenue and Harwood Road, and an east-west route between Priestnall Road and Burnage Lane. As well as being a key section of the wider Heatons link by connecting the schemes already completed, this phase sits within a residential area providing important connections to the primary and secondary schools and other local facilities.
Work began on this scheme in October 2024. Our Roadworks page provides further details of this scheme as it is being built.
Heaton Links - Heaton and Reddish Area Committee
Ladybrook Valley
We will create a 1.1km 'missing link' in Ladybrook Valley that will be part of a wider 11km route that is developing between Hazel Grove and Gatley. See our A34 Corridor Improvement Plan and Bramhall Park to A6 schemes for further information.
This section of the route includes the reconstruction of the riverside path between Bramhall Park Road and Ladybridge Road, where it links via an existing crossing to a previously built section. A ramp is to be constructed to connect the path to Bramhall Park Road.
Following the release of funding at the end of June 2024, work will begin in November 2024. Details of the works taking place can now be viewed on our Roadworks pages.
Offerton to Stockport
A new walking and cycling route providing a link between Offerton and Stockport town centre that avoids busy roads has now been completed.
The crossing on Offerton Lane has been upgraded as well as routes through St Thomas’ Recreation Ground. New crossings have been installed on St Mary’s Way and Waterloo Road.
A new crossing on Hempshaw Lane at the entrance to St Thomas’ Recreation Ground has also been created as part of the route.
Offerton to Stockport - Stepping Hill Area Committee and Central Stockport Area Committee
You can view a map of the walking and cycling route on our document page.
Hazel Grove Links
A package of measures to link communities by increasing walking and cycling use on off-road routes and local roads around Hazel Grove.
Works to improve the west-east route across Torkington Park, between Torkington Road and Lingfield Avenue, is now complete.
Hazel Grove Links - Stepping Hill Area Committee and Marple Area Committee
Bramhall Park to A6
The scheme will link Bramhall Park to Simpson’s Corner in Hazel Grove and is 4.1km in length. It will be part of the ‘Stockport East – West Cycle Route’ that will stretch from High Lane to Gatley.
It links residential areas in Hazel Grove and Bramhall with Hazel Grove Leisure Centre and Hazel Grove High School. It also links to the shared use path on the A555.
Construction of the route is now complete.
Bramhall Park to A6 - Stepping Hill Area Committee and Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee PDF document
A555 Community Links
Four new links between the existing path along the A555 and residential areas, schools, retail, and employment areas in Bramhall, Heald Green and Cheadle Hulme.
The scheme includes:
• changing the existing Public Rights of Ways to bridleways
• the creation of new bridleways
• new controlled crossings at locations where routes for pedestrians and cyclists cross busy roads
• provision of an improved cycle route and footpaths between Newlands Avenue and Woodstock Avenue.
One of the Community Links is a continuous route between the A555 and Cheadle Hulme. This runs via paths on the A34, the recently installed and improved crossings at Stanley Road and Gillbent Road, and the new 20mph speed limit in the St James’ High School estate west of Gillbent Road.
Works are now complete to widen, resurface and light the passageway between St James’ Way and Rushside Road.
A new route across Woodford Recreation Ground, linking to the A555 cycleway, has also been finished. In addition, we have been trialling solar studs on this route.
A555 Community Links - Cheadle Area Committee and Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee PDF document
Crossings Package, Cheadle Hulme
The scheme includes new signalised crossings for cyclists and pedestrians across busy roads to improve access to the wider walking and cycling network and better access to local facilities.
We have built two new sparrow crossings on Councillor Lane (near Tarvin Road), Bird Hall Road and Councillor Lane (at Calderbrook Drive, with a link to Adswood Park).
- Cheadle Hulme Crossings - Cheadle Area Committee and Central Stockport Area Committee
Romiley to Stockport East
The proposed walking and cycling route avoids busy roads as part of a plan to make active travel the number one choice for travelling to work, to school and to the shops for residents in Romiley and Bredbury Green.
The scheme was originally developed and consulted under the Mayor's Challenge Fund as ‘Romiley Crossings’ and ‘Romiley to Stockport’ schemes, but the approval for its delivery was given by the Department of Transport's Active Travel Fund (Tranche 4).
This includes:
- An upgrade of the existing Puffin (pedestrian) Crossing in the centre of Romiley to a Sparrow (segregated pedestrian and cycle) Crossing, with cycle track connections to Oakwood Road and Central Drive).
- New Toucan (shared pedestrian and cyclist) Crossings on Compstall Road close to Birch Avenue / park entrance and on Stockport Road near Green Lane.
- Improvements to an east-west route from Romiley Centre to Bredbury Green including junction, footway and path improvements, a new Toucan Crossing on Hatherlow, and the closure to motor vehicles of Green Lane under the canal bridge and Hurstheads Lane at Hatherlow.
- A 20mph speed limit on roads between the Peak Forest Canal and Compstall Rd/Stockport Rd; and on the Overdale Road estate.
This phase of delivery connects residential areas, local employment centres, education, retail and leisure destinations.
Onward connections between Romiley centre and Cherry Tree, and Bredbury Green to Stockport do not have funding to be delivered at this time, but funding will be sought in the future grant applications.
Funding for the route was confirmed in May 2023.
Following the release of funding at the end of June 2024, we are in detailed discussions with our contractor and the main works are planned to begin during Summer 2024.
Consultations on the proposals for Romiley Crossings and Romiley to Stockport ran during late 2020 and mid-2021, and the proposals were subsequently approved.
Map of Stockport's Mayoral Challenge Fund Schemes
You can use our map to find the current schemes in your area. The areas marked by red dotted line rectangles show where work is currently taking place or has recently been completed. By clicking on these areas, you can view the plans for that section of the route.