Next phase of cycle lane work to begin

THE controversial scheme taking a cycle lane from Castleton all the way to Rochdale town centre has reached a new milestone.

- BY GEORGE LYTHGOE Local Democracy reporter

Phase 2 of this active travel scheme will see the cycle lane extended from the edge of Castleton, along Manchester Road/A58, into Rochdale. During Phase 1, motorists were plagued by huge delays to the cycle lane works, which sparked uproar in the area.

Locals even suggested it led to the closure of businesses in the area because getting into the town was much trickier.

Alongside the new cycle lane, the upgrade of a number of junctions along the busy Manchester Road was also promised as part of the Bee Network project. It will see the creation of new pedestrian crossings to improve safety, as well as optimised lights, which will speed up journey times at an estimated cost of £13.5m.