Thousands enjoying Stockport’s walks and bike rides thanks to first-of-its kind helix ramp at award-winning Interchange

Thousands of walkers and cyclists have been enjoying more of Stockport’s glorious countryside and its connections to the Peak District since a unique helix ramp that has connected the town’s railway station with the Trans Pennine Trail opened last month.

The ramp seamlessly links the town’s award-winning Interchange with the railway station, the town centre, the riverside for the first time in generations and now the Trans Pennine Trail.

The trail connects the East and West coasts of the UK through the north of England, enabling walkers and cyclists to enjoy more than 215 miles of surfaced paths.

A north-south route connecting Leeds and Chesterfield, a spur to York and a spur to Kirkburton near Huddersfield, means there are approximately 370 miles (595km) of Trans Pennine Trail available to explore.

In Stockport the TPT has two options: one taking in the attractions of the centre - including the unique Hat Museum, the historic Market Place and Underbanks, or the quieter route to the north of the town. The trail then leaves Stockport through the leafy Tame Valley.

The ramp will allow a seamless connection between the Interchange’s new bridge over Daw Bank, via the cycle and pedestrian paths in Viaduct Park, forming a long-distance cycling route which connects the train station to areas in the south-west of Stockport and the town centre and beyond.

Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services, said: “It’s great to see so many people using the helix ramp at the Interchange and connecting with the Trans Pennine Trail within a month of opening.

“I’ve seen first-hand people of all ages using it and the numbers recorded show it’s a vital part of our town centre infrastructure.

“We have some fantastic countryside on our doorstep, and being able to be a well-connected gateway to all that the Peak District has to offer is great for our residents.”

In addition, cycle parking has been created at Viaduct Park, on Swaine St and in the nearby A6 arch adjacent to the Trans Pennine Trail route to support residents travelling by bike.

The new ramp, which has been built by Transport for Greater Manchester and worked on by Council officers has been funded via a Government backed Active Travel Fund that will support the Greater Manchester-wide Bee Network programme to make cycling and walking easier and more attractive for residents and businesses.