Construction of the next phase of the Heatons Link began at the end of October 2024 and will continue to summer 2025.

The works will provide approximately 2km of path improvements between Harwood Road and Cherry Holt Avenue, and between Burnage Lane and Priestnall Road. This forms part of the wider 6.5km route between the Fallowfield Loop and Trans-Pennine Trail, with connections to the local active travel network.

The scheme is part of our work with TfGM and Active Travel England to further unlock the health and environmental benefits of active travel. We're delivering a network of fully inclusive routes to make walk, wheel and cycle journeys safer and more attractive, and universally accessible for all. Our works in the Heatons are to connect local areas with improved accessibility, supporting safer and more attractive sustainable travel to schools and other destinations.

Background

The paths involved in these works include those adjacent to Stella Maris School, St John’s C of E Primary School, Priestnall School, through Heaton Mersey Common and around Priestnall Sports Field.

Paths will be lit and constructed to widths suitable for shared pedestrian and cyclist use.

You can download a copy of the map scheme overview drawing below:

Heatons Link scheme overview

PDF, 1.29 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

You may recall this phase was consulted and approved for delivery in 2021; you can find more information in the report to Heatons and Reddish Area Committee.

In recognition of comments and concerns during the consultation, approval of the scheme was subject to:

  • controls being in place to prevent unauthorised motor vehicle access to paths, including within the common. These will replace existing physical features with measures that are consistent with the council’s access control policy
  • the use of LED lighting, to be switched off from midnight to 5am to minimise disturbance
  • ‘share with care’ signage to supplement the standard shared use signs
  • a planting and ecology enhancement scheme, developed in close liaison with our Neighbourhoods team, and ecology and arboriculture specialists

A walking and cycling directional signage strategy is being developed for the wider area. Directional signage will be delivered in this area towards the end of the works, in accordance with the wider strategy.

The scheme was allocated funding to develop our detailed design and full business case. Funding for delivery was then confirmed at the end of June this year via the government’s Active Travel programme. You can find more information in our news article about Stockport’s eco-friendly travel improvements

We've since been in the process of finalising the detailed designs and agreeing a construction programme with the contractor.

Construction: update March 2025

Construction is being carried out in phases to summer 2025. The works are being carefully planned and co-ordinated to manage disruption within the local community as much as possible.

Please respect the barriers in place. Formal pedestrian diversions will are being clearly signed and alternative routes are available.

Various path closures are required to enable the works to be carried out safely and efficiently. Formal pedestrian diversions will be clearly signed along suitable routes.

Paths will generally remain closed until the associated phase of works are fully completed, but we'll always endeavour to open paths and/or local access points to areas of green space when it's safe and appropriate to do so.

Since the end of October our works have mainly been progressing around Priestnall playing field, through the Hey and between Heaton Mersey Common and Burnage Lane. These sections are now substantially complete and open to the public.

Works continue on the path between Harwood Road and New Beech Road – this will need to be closed for approximately 3 months, with a signed diversion in place via Didsbury Road.

The path is being widened, and with improved surfacing and lighting. Vegetation has been cut back along the sides of the path, some tree maintenance was also carried out at the same time under our specialist arboriculture team as part of a strategy to ensure an established wooded environment for the future.

Site compounds will be required at various locations to safely store equipment and materials close to the works. These will be located sensitively with respect to local residents and removed as soon as possible once they're no longer needed.

Landscaping

The scheme has been designed in liaison with our Neighbourhoods team, and ecology and arboriculture specialists. Our specialist Arboriculture team protects trees across the borough and ensures the health and longevity of Stockport's tree stock. The need for any tree and vegetation removal has been minimised as much as possible.

Some clearance is required to facilitate the scheme. Trees that need to be removed will be replaced locally on at least a two-for-one basis, using extra-heavy standard trees of suitable maturity, height and girth. Our Arboriculture team are also using this opportunity to undertake some routine maintenance, including the removal of some unhealthy trees.

The replanting plan will increase the actual tree stock in the area with appropriate species, ensuring an established wooded environment for the future. The replanting will be arranged within the appropriate season towards the end of the works.

Further tree and vegetation works in the area will be arranged in liaison with our Arboriculture team at a later date, including routine maintenance.

Note: Any damage to the grassed areas will be made good once the works are completed.

Contact Us

Our working methods may be subject to change. We'll provide up-to-date information on this page.

If you have any questions about the works, do not hesitate to contact the team by:

To report an out-of-hours emergency on site, call 0161 474 5555.