Salford’s Cycling & Walking Network Named Country’s Best

After two years of work, big investments and over 5500 hours of volunteer time, the efforts of community groups and Salford City Council to open up new cycling and walking routes across the city have been rewarded. 

At the National Transport Awards, the most prestigious transportation event in the country, Salford’s traffic-free network won the Excellence in Cycling and Walking category. 

Judges recognised the commitment and investment put into converting old railways lines and opening up canal towpaths, to provide an extensive network of paths across the city and around the green spaces of Salford. It beat off stiff competition from around the UK. 

Commenting on the incredible result, City Mayor Paul Dennett said it’s a “wonderful return on the investment the council, our partners and hundreds of volunteers have put into this fabulous scheme which is already resulting in health and wellbeing benefits for thousands of people in our city.”

Chris Boardman, world famous cyclist and the new GM Cycling and Walking Commissioner, also commented on the great work and infrastructure that has already been put in place on schemes like the Roe Green Loopline, and said it was great to see efforts rewarded. 

Salford has seen the number of people using cycling and walking paths jump from 12,500 to more than 191,500 in just one year in some areas, whilst the Roe Green Loopline recorded over 230,000 visits. 

Currently, the Salford Trail is a 50-mile route, with several smaller sections to travel, created in partnership with The Manchester and Salford Ramblers. On top of this, the Bridgewater Canal route has been opened up by hundreds of volunteers, keeping the areas clean and tidy, and installing new benches and steps for users. 

Work is continuing on new paths for cyclists, walkers, pushchairs and wheelchairs, with easy access, smooth surfaces, new signage and improved lighting. 

By 2018, there will be over 28km of high-quality paths, over £5 million will have been invested, and hundreds of people will use the routes every day.