The Bee Network crossing scheme will make the Well-i-hole/Manchester Road junction safer for walkers and cyclists. The junction at the Royal George will have a signalised junction control system including a Toucan/Pegasus crossing on the eastern arm allowing cyclists to cross the road safely alongside walkers. A second Toucan/Pegasus Crossing will help walkers, cyclists and horse-riders cross the road safely where the bridleway/footpath crosses Well-i-Hole Road.

These improvements are one of seven schemes across Oldham, Bolton, Stockport and Wigan costing £2.1m in total and work will start from October 2022. The crossing schemes are part of wider efforts to encourage walking and cycling and make it easier for people to make journeys without using their cars.

Stephanie Shuttleworth, Labour campaign organiser and part-time cyclist said ‘This is really welcome news. I cycle to work in Diggle and around Greenfield and Uppermill but I avoid this junction as it doesn’t feel safe on my bike. I would like to cycle more – especially as I need to save money with the looming energy price increases – but many of the Saddleworth roads aren’t suitable for cyclists at the minute. So the Bee Network is a great initiative to encourage people who want to, to get out of their cars more often’.

The Bee Network was set up by Labour Mayor Andy Burnham and the first Greater Manchester Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman to plan and introduce an integrated transport system which will join buses, trams, cycling and walking by 2024, with rail incorporated by 2030, transforming how people travel in Greater Manchester.  Dame Sarah Storey, current Active Travel Commissioner said ‘Feeling unsafe whilst crossing roads is one of the main barriers for people making their short journeys on foot, in a wheelchair, or when accompanied by children or older people who don’t feel as quick as they once did. I’m pleased to see a further seven crossings being confirmed and am looking forward to seeing the pipeline further developed so the benefits can be felt across the region.”

The seven new schemes are being delivered as part of the Bee Network crossings project, which was established in 2019 to make it safer for people to cross busy roads in key locations across GM. The project aims to deliver 35 crossings, or upgraded junctions with crossing facilities, across all ten districts in GM.