MAJOR roadworks designed to improve cyclist and pedestrian routes in Warrington have been completed.
A new CYCLOPS junction has been completed between Lovely Lane and Bewsey Road, promising to make walking and cycling in the area safer.
The ‘Cycle Optimised Protected Signals’ – or CYCLOPS - junction separates people walking, cycling and wheeling from vehicles, reducing the risk of collisions or conflict between users.
First developed by Transport for Greater Manchester - and now common across the UK to create new routes and help cyclists through busy junctions - the new CYCLOPS junction is the first of its kind in Warrington.
Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for highways, transportation and public realm, Cllr Hans Mundry, said: “I’m delighted that we have completed the first scheme of this type in Warrington.
"It shows our ambition to develop a cycle network which provides a real alternative for people coming into the town centre.
“The junction at Bewsey Road and Lovely Lane has been in need of an upgrade for some time, and the new CYCLOPS scheme will provide a high-quality, user-friendly junction for everyone, making it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle.
“At the same time, we’ve been able to combine a resurfacing scheme with an upgrade of the traffic signal equipment, which was approaching 20 years old.
“It’s part of our ongoing work, through our Local Transport Plan, to improve safety on our highway network and encourage people to travel in more sustainable ways."
CYCLOPS junctions have a number of benefits, including:
- Crossing times for people walking are shorter and closer to the preferred route
- Cyclists are separated from motor vehicles and from pedestrians
- The signal phase for people walking and cycling can run at the same time
Over 80 per cent of the scheme funding came from a successful bid to the Government’s Active Travel Fund, with the scheme delivered on programme and within budget.
The council says it will monitor the impact of the junction closely, and that members of staff will be on hand to explain the differences to pedestrians and cyclists in the coming days.
Corresponding plans are now being developed for improvements along Bewsey Road and into the heart of the town centre.
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