Manchester cyclists reclaim the streets

24 2007
For one weekend only, Manchester's cyclists and pedestrians, rather than drivers, owned the city's streets.

To celebrate the Europe-wide Car Free Day, Manchester City Council opted to make the city's trams more inviting by hiring a string quartet to entertain passengers riding into the centre from the suburbs while plans were also unveiled for new cycle paths and walkways.

In addition, next to stalls giving out tips on tackling climate change, Manchester residents were also treated to workshops in the Brazilian martial art of capoeira and in Exchange Square a climbing wall was erected.

"There's a whole world to discover when you leave the car at home," said Councillor Neil Swannick, the council's executive member for the environment.

The weekend-long festival was also used as an opportunity to showcase plans to redevelop around five miles of neglected and run-down riverside land into Irwell City Park, which would see commuters benefiting from excellent cycle lanes into the centres of Manchester and Salford.

"This event gives us a taste of just how much both cities could be enhanced if our bid to create the Irwell City Park is successful," Salford Councillor Derek Antrobus remarked. ADNFCR-1219-ID-18291208-ADNFCR

Related Articles
Video reminds students of initiation ceremony risks
With freshers' weeks under way in universities up and down the country,...

Developers putting new homes up for rent, not sale
The ongoing troubles in the UK property market is prompting growing numbers...

'Dynamic' cities lead the way in new national divide
The notion of a 'North-South' divide is nothing more than a myth, with the...

New Manchester transport links would boost property market
<br/>The editor of a leading property website has claimed that the proposed...

Renters to be boosted by Manchester tram expansion
The go-ahead is set to be given to plans to significantly expand...