Heaton Park Active Neighbourhood project
Active Neighbourhoods focus on prioritising people and place over cars using planters and benches to stop rat running on residential streets. The changes typically create quieter streets for residents to chat and for children to play, as well as making trips to schools and to the shops safer
The scheme forms part of the Bee Network, a 10-year plan for Greater Manchester to deliver the UK’s largest cycling and walking network, eventually spanning 1,800 miles. The focus is on enabling people to leave the car at home for everyday trips to school or to the shops. This will contribute to the one million additional daily sustainable journeys Greater Manchester wants to achieve by 2040, while also having wider benefits to health, congestion and clean air.
Active Neighbourhoods aim to:
• Create attractive, high quality public spaces for people
• Empower local people to help with the design of their street
• Create low traffic areas where people are prioritised over motor traffic, stopping rat running
• Enable and encourage cycling and walking for short journeys, leaving the car at home Changes can also include improved crossing points, more greenery or seating.
