Bike Biz)
Manchester aims for “Dutch-style revolution”
‘Cycling Tsar’ Chris Boardman opened a cycling network in Salford which is aimed at “inspiring a Dutch-style bike revolution” across the area.
Kieran Howells13 hours ago
The Olympic gold medallist and Greater Manchester cycling and walking commissioner met local cycling groups at Irlam Station as they set off on an inaugural ride along the first 14km of the Irlam and Cadishead Cycle Network, which runs from the station at Irlam to the Boathouse in Astley.The Hamilton Davies Trust charity, which led on work to set up the new cycle network, hopes the launch will kick start ambitious plans to expand it to around 50kms of routes across the area, including the expanse of Chat Moss.
HDT wants this expanded Irlam and Cadishead Cycle Network to link up with the National Cycle routes, 55 and 62 to the north and south of Irlam and Cadishead and improve connections between local communities and further afield.
The opening is also a step towards reviving 9.5km – six miles – of disused railway track, which could be part of the national cycleway extension, as well as a heritage railway carrying steam and diesel trains between Irlam and Timperley.
Last year, HDT launched a proposal for a £30m project to re-open a section of the former Cheshire Lines Railway, which included the re-opening of the Cadishead Viaduct along the route, which is closed off by shipping containers, separating the communities of Irlam and Partington.
