Salford residents are invited to a free family event this weekend to celebrate the reopening of one of the city’s key cycling and walking routes.
The Swinton Greenway, a 7km off-road path that runs from Monton Road in Monton to the A6 Manchester Road in Swinton, will be re-launched to residents following a near £6m transformation at an action-packed celebration on Saturday 11 June during Bike Week 2022.
The event will run from 11am to 3pm, taking place off Overdale in Swinton and offer a range of activities to keep the family entertained, such as trying out an electric bike on the route, a pump track, boogie bikes, smoothie bikes, a 70s-themed street performance and children’s craft-making tent.
The route has been significantly upgraded to make it more attractive, safer and accessible for all, whether its for cyclists, commuters, dog walkers or wheelchair users.
Upgrades include widening the route up to 3.5m for 5km of the path to allow more users than before, new motion-detection sensor lighting to ensure trips are well lit, all year round, and the route now offers over 30 different entrances to open it up and connect it to more communities living nearby.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “The revamped Swinton Greenway will be used and loved by cyclists and walkers alike.
“As someone who enjoys cycling and walking, I know that this upgraded route has massive potential to revolutionise the way residents travel between Swinton and Monton and is an example of how we are delivering on our vision to make it easier and safer for cyclists and walkers to get about in our city.
“I am very excited to formally launch Swinton Greenway at Saturday’s event and head out on to this stunning route where I am sure that I will be joined by many other fellow residents keen to make use of this wonderful asset as we head into the summer.”
Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner, said: “Well-connected, safe and accessible routes are vital to getting more people to walk, cycle or wheel for everyday trips.
“Swinton Greenway is a superb scheme that will enable more people to leave the car at home and choose to travel on foot or by bike. Using this new route to replace an existing vehicle journey with an active one will help people build activity back into their days, improving both physical and mental health in the process, as well as reducing congestion and even saving people money. These improvements have also made the space more enjoyable for a leisurely stroll or cycle, with three impressive artworks and plenty of benches and green space to have a picnic.
“I would encourage people to get down to the event on Saturday to celebrate the launch of the scheme and give these new paths a go.”
Nearby schools will have direct access onto it including Monton Green and Springwood primary schools, Eccles College, Oakwood Academy, and Chatsworth High Schools and Community College meaning schoolchildren and parents can make safer and more sustainable journeys more easily.
Artwork has also been installed off Overdale to commemorate the historical significance of the route being on a disused railway line and further pieces are present off Monton Road and near Campbell Road field to create an attractive leisure space with strong ties to its heritage.
Saturday’s festivities will include a wide range of activities on offer for families including:
- Bicycle pump track
- Smoothie & Boogie Bikes
- Electric bike hire
- Performances from 70s street act Kitsch Kafe
- Children’s craft making
- Bike repairs
- Greenway walks with Manchester & Salford Ramblers & Bridgewater Canal guided tours
- Information on keeping active
