Hempshaw Lane ‘Streets for All’ works

The Hempshaw Lane ‘Streets for All’ improvement works started on Monday 24 March 2025. The work will be carried out in phases which in total are expected to take 9 months to complete.

The scheme is funded by the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and will improve pedestrian and cycle facilities and access to bus stops on Hempshaw Lane between the Dialstone Lane/Banks Lane junction (‘Fingerpost’) and Marple Road.

The works include:

  • remodelling the Fingerpost junction including widened footways, enlarged pedestrian islands, new crossings, and converting its operation to SCOOT traffic signal control to improve traffic flow
  • a new bus shelter and raised kerbs at the eastbound bus stop near Garth Road, plus upgraded opposing westbound bus stop near Whalley Road
  • new tactile paving on side roads along Hempshaw Lane, with bollards provided to protect the crossings unless the bollards create a pinch point for pedestrians
  • remodelling the Hempshaw Lane / A626 Marple Road junction including built out footways, a tightened kerbline for left turning vehicles into Hempshaw Lane to shorten the distance for pedestrians to cross, and upgraded tactile paving with areas of connecting shared use footway
  • A new toucan crossing for pedestrians and cyclists on Marple Road, between Hempshaw Lane and Montagu Road

The scheme was subject to public consultation in autumn 2022. The changes to the scheme in response to consultation feedback and as approved at Central Area Committee in November 2022 have been included in the constructed scheme.

This includes:

  • Fingerpost junction: in response to concerns about the proposed removal of pedestrian guardrail, this will be re-introduced at the upgraded junction
  • Hempshaw Lane and Sydney Street: in response to concerns about a loss of on street parking as a result of the proposed kerb buildouts on Hempshaw Lane and Sydney Street, these have been removed from the scheme. Similarly, the proposal to introduce formalised parking bays and parking restrictions on Hempshaw Lane have been removed from the scheme
  • Hempshaw Lane/Marple Road junction: in response to comments about the likelihood of the proposals increasing congestion, the eastbound approach to the Hempshaw Lane/Offerton Lane junction has been widened slightly to accommodate a left and a right turning vehicle simultaneously. This will also assist buses to enter the right turn lane and manoeuvre around the new refuge island
  • Marple Road toucan crossing: in response to concerns about the loss of parking within the existing bay on the southwestern side of Marple Road, the zig zag road markings have been reduced in length to reduce the impact on the residents adjacent to the crossing. This results in an overall 5 metre increase in the length of the bay

Construction works

The works are being carried out in phases, as follows:

  • Hempshaw Lane/ Marple Road junction: works are planned to start on 24 March and the aim is for completion in June 2025. Temporary traffic lights will be required at the junction during the works. Whenever possible, the traffic lights will only be in place during working hours, however, in some phases of the works they'll need to remain in place to allow a temporary pedestrian route to be provided along Marple Road. To allow construction of a raised table and provide safe temporary traffic management, Montagu Road will be temporarily closed to through traffic at its junction with Marple Road. Access to properties on Montagu Road will be maintained at all times. During this phase of works, the site welfare area will be set up on the southern end of Montagu Road
  • Hempshaw Lane: the works will provide improved pedestrian crossings at side roads with Hempshaw Lane. These works will progress at the same time as the works to the Hempshaw Lane/ Marple Road junction, and are planned to be completed in May 2025. This has been planned to avoid the need for temporary traffic lights on Hempshaw Lane. A pedestrian route along Hempshaw Lane will be provided at all times during the works
  • Fingerpost Junction: the works are planned to start in June 2025 and be completed in December 2025 so that the more disruptive works take place during the summer months when there is less traffic on the road network. The temporary traffic lights that will be in place at the junction during the works will match the timing of the permanent traffic lights to keep traffic moving through the junction as efficiently as possible

At times during the works, on street parking will be temporarily restricted in the working areas to allow the works to progress safely. Any restrictions will be kept to a minimum and will only be in place when required for the works. We ask for your patience and cooperation in keeping working areas clear of parked cars to allow the works to be completed as efficiently as possible.

Resurfacing works at the Fingerpost and Hempshaw Lane/Marple Road junction will take place overnight to minimise disruption to traffic. We'll provide an update once the dates have been confirmed.

We've been working with Transport for Greater Manchester to make sure that temporary arrangements will be in place where bus stops and bus routing are affected by the works.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the works, you can contact the team by: