A series of 'active travel' upgrades such as a new cycle route, footpath improvements and more have been launched in Cheadle. 

This will make healthier travel easier, and aims to encourage residents to travel more frequently without the car. This in turn could help reduce congestion. 

Specifically, the new cycle route runs from north to south, helping to link the high street and the proposed railway station to Brookfields Park and beyond.

It includes:

• Improved footways through Queens Gardens from Stockport Road to Newland Road.
• A new segregated signalised crossing for pedestrians and cyclists on Stockport Road.
• A signed, on-carriageway cycle route from Oak Road to Brookfields Park.
• Improvements to the footpaths within Brookfields Park to allow for shared footway/cycleways, including resurfacing and the installation of lighting.
• A new segregated signalised crossing for pedestrians and cyclists on Cheadle Road between Shiers Road and Bruntwood Lane.

Walking and cycling will also be made easier by four new improved cycle and pedestrian crossings, which were also introduced in the town. 

The initiative was funded by the government's £3.6 billion 'Towns Fund'. Cheadle was invited to bid for £25 million of this money, to invest in economic growth, regeneration, improved transport, digital connectivity, and skills and enterprise. 

A Cheadle Town Fund board was set up to oversee the development of this investment into the town. 

Members of the board, along with Stockport Council officials and Cheadle MP Mary Robinson, 'officially launched' the new route and upgrades on Saturday 1 July in Queen's Garden. 

The new cycle route runs from north to south, helping to link the High Street, and the proposed railway station to Brookfields Park and beyond (Image - Google Maps)

On the day, residents enjoyed free bicycle servicing and advice, a group walk from Cheadle Green to Brookfields Park, and a led family cycle ride from Adswood Park. 

Cllr Grace Baynham, cabinet member for highways, parks and leisure services, said: "It is fantastic news to see the completion of a new and improved walking and cycling route in Cheadle. 

"This scheme is part of a bigger picture, with links from the Trans Pennine Trail, through Cheadle Village and now heading further south on to the new A555 walking and cycling path into Cheadle Hulme. Generations to come will benefit from this new route.

"We want to encourage walking and cycling as a method of travel for our residents and that is why we also hosted Stockport Moves on Sunday as part of celebrating Stockport's Town of Culture."

Brian Bradley, the Chair of the Cheadle Town Fund Board, added: "I am delighted to be able to support the hard work of Cheadle Town Fund Board in bringing forward these transformative projects. It's lovely to see a plan made real and to watch people enjoying the new route. 

"Our goal is to promote clean growth, and this active travel route does all this and more. It reduces local congestion, promotes health and most importantly encourages people back into Cheadle."

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