Greater Manchester to spend £5 million on pop-up cycleways, widened sidewalks

Greater Manchester's cycling and walking commissioner Chris Boardman has announced a £5-million plan to install pop-up cycleways and widened sidewalks. The region's local authorities would get emergency funding from the existing Mayor's Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund. The initiative—billed as “Safe Streets Save Lives”— will prioritize “essential travel and exercise for residents.” As well as pop-up cycleways there will be footway extensions, new one-way streets, the removal of through motor traffic on some roads, and the removal of street clutter like pedestrian guard rails. The changes will help with physical distancing outside shops, transport hubs and routes to hospitals.