Thousands of spring flowers are blooming on the Chester Millennium Greenway this year as part of our project to help attract more people to use the popular traffic-free path.
2000 daffodil bulbs have been planted along the Greenway and 10,000 crocus bulbs on the verges at the junction of Kingsway West and Brook Lane.
Our team in the North worked with community groups to plant 2000 daffodil bulbs along the Greenway and 10,000 crocus bulbs on the verges at the junction of Kingsway West and Brook Lane.
Redesigning the Greenway
The two-year Active Travel Transformation project was funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
It also led to a barrier redesign for improved mobility access at Mickle Trafford, improved signs and artwork on the Greenway.
As well as chicanes to reduce cycling speeds on the shared path.
Listening to what Chester wants
Our community engagement officers gathered views about what changes people wanted to see on the Chester Millennium Greenway through events and activities involving over 700 people.
More than half of those who commented said they wanted to see more plants on the Greenway.
Almost a third of respondents said they had concerns about the speed of people cycling on the route, while a third said they wanted to see more art.
Working with local children
We also worked with children at Newton Primary School and Arches Community Primary School to find out what would encourage more children to use the Greenway.
As a result, the team installed two timber chicane gates outside Newton Primary School to help reduce speeds.
Children have also designed colourful artworks for the Greenway to encourage people to slow down.
A boost to this popular path
Ali Dore, our Community engagement officer said:
“The local community took an active role working with us to help make the Chester Millennium Greenway a more attractive place for all ages to walk, cycle or use a wheelchair.
"The spring flowers are a big boost this year in particular as more local residents are discovering the route for travel or a quiet stroll, during the pandemic.
"The route is one of our most popular paths for people cycling longer distances too, so it is important that all users share the space with care.
Look out for our artistic new signs, designed by local school children, to encourage people to slow down on the route near schools and housing, and be considerate to everyone.”
Working with local businesses
The Active Travel Transformation Project also included work with businesses on the Winsford Industrial Estate to encourage more people to try active travel.
The Sustrans team assessed the standard of walking and cycling routes and facilities in the area and activities with local businesses.
We held events and activities, including regular lunchtime walks to inspire more people to get active on their commute or during working hours.
Children from Chester schools have created an art trail to the Greenway
Resurfacing and new signs
The team also worked with the Council to secure funding through the Emergency Active Travel Fund to resurface a footpath and create a segregated cycle lane to support safer walking and cycling to the Industrial Estate.
They also installed three directional signs with distances in times for walking and cycling on the most common walking and cycle routes.
Looking to the future
Councillor Karen Shore, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport said
“It has been great to see the work of the Active Travel Transformation project develop over the last two years and we thank Sustrans for all their hard work.
"The signs developed by the local children, the chicane gates and the planting of the bulbs has all led to an improved Millennium Greenway.
"The engagement work carried out on both the Greenway and Winsford Industrial Estate will help us to shape further work going forward”.
Cheshire West and Chester Council has declared a Climate Emergency in the borough and is committed to supporting projects that will help west Cheshire to become carbon neutral by 2045.
Learn more about the Millennium Greenway in Chester
