Cycle route upgrade completed

The final crossing upgrades to one of the North West’s walking and cycling routes has been completed on Hurdsfield.

Connecting Macclesfield to Greater Manchester the 11-mile Middlewood Way runs through a rural route of outstanding natural beauty.

Cheshire East Council, with funding from the Department of Transport and the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, worked with the UK’s walking, wheeling and cycling charity Sustrans to install two crossing points – on Black Lane and Hurdsfield Road – to help bring this section of the path into wider use.

The footpath on Black Lane was widened to give space for people on bikes, wheelchairs or mobility scooters and those on foot. 

The busy exit junction for Tesco store was modified into a controlled crossing providing access to the railway station. 

Councillor Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East Council’s highways and transport committee, said:

“I know local residents will love using this new route, while many others will now visit Macclesfield for a beautiful day out in the Cheshire countryside. 

“The new scheme will also increased activity all along the Middlewood Way by bringing more people directly to and from the town centre.

“Finally, it also provides a far nicer commute for pedestrians and cyclists to AstraZeneca and the Hurdsfield Industrial Estate. Overall, it’s a brilliant addition to the lovely Middlewood Way that we are rightly proud to have within Cheshire East.”

Councillor Chris Hilliard, Cheshire East Council’s walking and cycling member champion, who attended the event, said: “This is great news for pedestrians and cyclists. The sharp bend that was on the southern side of Hurdsfield Road and potentially off-putting for many road users, has now been removed and has been replaced with a far more suitable and better quality route. 

Rosslyn Colderley, director for Sustrans in the North of England and who also attended the event, said: “I’m delighted these improvements on the Middlewood Way are now complete. The new crossing points and shared use path are key to enabling people in wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other mobility aids to safely accessing this beautiful route, as well as those on foot or bike. 

“It’s a beautiful path for leisure and also a practical, direct route for people to travel in a healthier way to work, school or to the shops. 

“The Middlewood Way is part of the National Cycle Network. Sustrans is working across the UK to improve the quality of the network and create paths that everyone can enjoy, whatever their age or ability.”

The opening event yesterday was attended by Cheshire East Council’s leader Councillor Sam Corcoran, chair of the highways and transport committee Mark Goldsmith and deputy chair of the committee, Laura Crane. Volunteers from Sustrans were also there to support.

The ward member for Macclesfield Hurdsfield, Councillor Sarah Bennett-Wake, cut the ribbon on the day.