The Manchester City Council has announced plans to remove newly laid bike lanes on Oldham Road just three months after their installation. The council stated that this was part of a pre-planned strategy, with the final resurfacing of the lanes scheduled for March 2026.
The bike lanes, originally intended to be completed by April, faced delays due to “issues with materials being sourced” and “delays around essential utilities work.” As a result, the lanes were only finished in late November 2023. Crews then began work on Rochdale Road in December, although the council did not confirm if this phase was delayed due to the earlier setbacks.
Community Response to Ongoing Disruption
Local residents have expressed frustration over the ongoing disruption caused by the construction. Christine Keener, a resident, described the situation as an “insane” saga that has included investigations into contractor behavior, nighttime drilling, and significant impacts on local businesses.
At the Marble Arch pub on Rochdale Road, Becky Holden, the bar manager, reported that the noise from construction has been detrimental to customer experience. “We have had to close early a couple of times with the JCB going. It literally shakes the pub and it drives customers out,” Holden stated. She noted that the closure of a bus stop outside the establishment has further deterred older patrons, complicating access for those relying on public transport.
Other businesses in the area are also feeling the effects of the construction. A luggage storage shop nearby has temporarily closed due to the roadworks, while nine out of twelve shops on Oldham Road were shut as of December 22, 2023. Jimmy Kennedy, the owner of a local barbershop, revealed that the disruptions led to his early retirement in September after 43 years of service in the community. “I’m doing nothing here; there’s no passing trade,” he said.
Council Justifies Construction Strategy
Despite the backlash, the Manchester City Council has defended its construction approach. A spokesperson explained that the majority of the cycleway had been laid in black tarmac to ensure it could be safely used while the rest of the project is completed. “This has been the most cost-effective method of ensuring that it can remain operational, pending the completion of the entire scheme,” the spokesperson added.
The final green surfacing will be applied at key crossing points, which the council claims will result in less disruption compared to earlier works. “Residents should not have to put up with endless overnight disruption,” said Chris Northwood and Alan Good, local councillors from the Liberal Democrats, in a joint statement. They condemned the delays and demanded answers regarding the prolonged timeline of construction.
As the situation unfolds, residents and businesses alike await further updates from the council regarding the completion of the bike lane project and the anticipated return to normalcy in their community.
