Works to improve active travel in Macclesfield at a busy Hurdsfield Road junction are set to begin on February 27.

The crossing points at the junction of Black Lane and Hurdsfield Road get a Toucan makeover plus footpaths will be widened to improve shared use by cyclists and pedestrians.

A left-hand lane turning into Black Lane from Hurdsfield Road will be replaced with wider paths for non-motorists.

The plans were overwhelmingly supported by commenters on the council's "Have your say!" section of the Macclesfield Active Travel site.

Commenters raised concerns about their safety coming off Middlewood Way onto Black Lane.

One said: "The road crossing over Hurdsfield Road is very difficult on a bicycle - currently a 180-degree switchback.

"And passing the exit of Tesco on a bicycle is always a heart-in-the-mouth moment wondering whether car drivers have actually looked before pulling out.

"Improvements to any/all of these would make the station to Middlewood Way link much more attractive & safer."

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These plans are in amongst the second of two tranches of work designed to make non-motorised travel around Macclesfield more appealing and safer.

Existing queues along Black Lane.

Temporary measures in the summer of 2020 included allowing cycling on Chestergate and Castle Street.

An Active Travel fund was created in May of the same year by the Department for Transport (DfT), to improve walking and cycling routes across the country.

Cheshire East Council will carry out the works which include funding via Sustrans, the custodians of the National Cycle Network.

The non-profit organisation, which promotes, looks after and develops parts of the network have secured £568,620 from the DfT.

National Cycle Network Route 55 runs 113 miles from Preston to Ironbridge and cuts through the old railway line here.

National Cycle Network route 55 includes access to Middlewood Way and routes to the railway station in this part of town.

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The works are scheduled for completion at the end of June.

Cheshire East Council is inviting comment on existing temporary Active Travel schemes at Ivy Lane and in the town centre and a permanent amendment along Manchester Road in Tytherington.

Macclesfield: What do you make of the works? Join in the conversation on our social media.

Macclesfield: This path is to widened to three metres under the planned changes.

See Also: Macclesfield 'desperate' for a car-free day

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