IMPROVEMENTS are being made to cycle paths and footpaths across Warrington due to the changes in ways that residents are travelling.

The coronavirus pandemic has 'dramatically altered' the transport and exercise habits of residents - the number of people cycling across Warrington has surged by more than 100 per cent and traffic levels on roads in some areas have been as low as 40 per cent of normal volumes - the council says.

Due to these changes in travel, the council anticipates that people will drive far less and there will be a continued increase in walking, cycling and running.

To ensure residents are able to socially distance while they’re out, whether as a pedestrian or cyclist, the council is widening and relaying key routes.

Key walkways will be widened, with temporary barriers at pinch-point areas to accommodate the increased numbers of pedestrians.

There will be a large increase in dedicated cycle lanes, using new barriers and signage, to help the marked increase of cyclists travel safely.

Warrington Guardian:

Traffic signals will be changed to prioritise ‘green time’ for residents and ensure safety.

There will also be changes to the town centre roads, including new one-way roads, to make it more pedestrian and cycle focused.

Crosfield Street by Bank Park will become one way northbound, drivers will not be able to turn left from Winmarleigh Street onto Sankey Street while St Austin's Lane will become one-way in a westbound direction.

The one-way rules on Bold Street will switch at the junction with Wilson Patten Street.

These changes could come in by early July.

In the town centre, as well as widened footways, there will also be one-way pavements with clearly marked ‘Stay left, stay safe’ signage to support residents with social distancing.

The council will also work with customer-facing businesses like banks, shops and bars to introduce safe, sensible queuing areas outsides their premises when they re-open from June 15.

In parks and green spaces, clear signage will be positioned at entrances to support people to keep their distance.

High-traffic footpaths will be widened and maintenance will focus on clearing the space around footpaths to ensure enough room for people walking or cycling.

Playgrounds and outdoor gyms will remain closed for now.

In addition to these changes, the council will also be looking at communities and urban areas that will benefit from an uplift in secure bicycle parking.

Funding for the improvements will be sourced in part from an Emergency Active Travel Grant provided by the Department for Transport, which will contribute to the cost of the council’s main temporary highway interventions.

The European Regional Development Fund has also allocated a share of funding worth around £150,000 for assistance in adapting urban centres.