A local sustainability group has called on the borough council to use the opportunity of additional infrastructure funding to make Macclesfield more cyclist-friendly.

Macctastic, a community group facilitating residents in the town to take action on issues such as climate change, wants to challenge the dominance of the motor vehicle our roads.

David Mayers, who chairs the group's transport committee, told Macclesfield Nub News: "Transport is a big contributor to climate change, so we want to see reductions in traffic congestion, air pollution and to increase active travel."

Mr Mayers said that the current cycling infrastructure isn't good enough and that motor vehicles "tyrannise" cyclists on the road.

"It's a mixture of things and you've got to get the balance right. People are only going to stop driving if the public transport is better and if they can see that they'll travel faster by cycling or walking," he said.

Mr Mayers said the group would like to see a network of segregated cycle lanes covering the town and the installation of more cycle racks where people can park their bikes safely.

The wider roll out of Advanced Stop Zones, such as that seen on the junction where Buxton Road meets the Silk Road, is another initiative he hopes the council will get behind.

"A lot more people would cycle within the town if the right infrastructure was in place. We want more people to be able to cycle to school or work and have the confidence to do so," Mr Mayers explained.

Cllr Fiona Wilson, who is the town council's leisure and outdoor champion, told Nub News that money from the government has gone to Cheshire East Council to fund active travel infrastructure.

She said: "Most of the local councillors have proposed cycle lanes to be part of the plans. For example, in South Ward, where I represent, we've proposed a route that goes from the Rising Sun pub, over the playing fields through to Moss Lane to link up with a cycle route already in place."

Cllr Wilson also hopes to advance plans to create a cycle route between Macclesfield, Stockport and Manchester as part of the National Cycle Network.

"It's about thinking again about what's already there and putting things together in a more joined up way so people can cycle and walk in a safer, more accessible way," Cllr Wilson said.