Cycling plans are on the wrong track for us say villagers

CONCERNS OVER EFFECT ON TRADE AND WHAT USE THEY ARE

- By DECLAN CAREY

Thomas Cooper says the work has had a massive effect on his business

A GREATER Manchester village known for its leafy streets has been left divided over a major issue affecting residents and businesses.

Romiley, based to the east of Stockport town centre, is a popular spot for families and commuters looking for a sense of community, along with a busy mix of shops, culture and places to eat or drink.

Residents in the village say its location close to the town centre and M60 motorway often means main roads are full of cars, especially during the morning rush hour.

Stockport council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have started to bring travel upgrades to the area to tackle the congestion problem.

The latest phase of the work started this month on Compstall Road in the centre of the village, which will get a new two-way cycling track along one side of the high street according to drawings for the project, in an upgrade of the crossing in Romiley Precinct for segregated pedestrian and cyclist use.

The town hall said the Romiley phase of works will cost around £1.8m.

The idea is to create cycling connections to nearby streets, offering routes through quieter roads and residential areas.

It will also see Central Drive, a road between the shops and a housing estate, made a one-way street running from the main road.

This work is expected to take months to complete, with a pause scheduled on November 21 for the Christmas period before it picks up again in early 2026.

But it has left huge sections of the pavement and part of Compstall Road behind construction barriers.

Some residents and businesses questioned whether the disruption it will cause could bring more harm than good to the village.

Jay Dunn is the owner of The Crafty Vendor, a bar on the corner of Compstall and Oakwood Road.