Transit Alert: Bury Reopens Market Street Following £5.7 Million Upgrade

Bury has reopened Market Street following a £5.7 million transport upgrade designed to establish safer, greener walking and cycling routes. The project, funded through the UK Government's Sustainable Transport Settlement, integrates the corridor into Greater Manchester's growing Bee Network.

Active Travel Schemes and the CYCLOPS Junction Design

A significant trend in European urban transit is the implementation of municipal active travel schemes. In 2026, cities are redesigning historic roads to prioritize pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit over private cars. As municipal boards focus on reducing carbon emissions and improving road safety, they are replacing traditional roundabouts with CYCLOPS (Cycle Optimised Protected Signals) junctions.

By separating cycle lanes and pedestrian footpaths from motor lanes, this system minimizes vehicle conflicts. The resulting infrastructure provides a safer environment for commuters traveling without a vehicle.

Market Street Safety and Access Improvements

The completed works on Market Street, situated within the Fishpool and Pimhole redevelopment area, focus on safety and accessibility:

• Project Cost: The transport improvement plan represents a £5.7 million capital investment.
• Infrastructure Corridor: Upgrades extend along Market Street from Angouleme Way to a point south of the Wellington Road junction.
• Segregated Lanes: The project has introduced a continuous, segregated cycling and walking route along the full length of the road.
• Road Resurfacing: Resurfacing works improve road quality to support smoother transit through the town center.

These design updates make daily journeys easier for residents traveling to schools, shops, and workplaces.

Crossing Enhancements and Junction Reconfiguration

Several reconfigurations have been completed to improve traffic efficiency:

• Pedestrian Crossings: Workers have installed two new pedestrian-controlled crossings to provide safer crossing points across busy lanes.
• Trinity Street Junction: A raised table slows vehicle speeds and improves pedestrian priority at this junction.
• Wellington Road CYCLOPS: The previous roundabout has been replaced with a CYCLOPS junction, separating cycling and walking routes from vehicle traffic.
• Footpath Upgrades: A new continuous footpath has been constructed near the entrance to the Bury Athletics Club.
• Bus Stops: Upgraded bus shelters along the route improve access to public transport networks.

These improvements help establish a balanced environment where active travel coexists with motor vehicle transit.

The Bee Network and Regional Funding Connections

The Market Street improvements form part of a broader regional transport strategy:

• Bee Network Integration: The upgrades connect walking, cycling, and public transport routes to Greater Manchester's integrated Bee Network.
• Funding Sources: The scheme is funded through the UK Government's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and the Mayor of Greater Manchester's Challenge Fund.
• Corridor Connections: Additional resurfacing works have been completed between Grosvenor Street and the Grundy Hub field entrance, building on previous upgrades completed at Gigg Lane.

These connected projects help establish cleaner travel choices across the metropolitan borough.

Upcoming Construction Phases and Resurfacing Timelines

While Market Street has reopened, work continues on adjacent roads:

• Parkhills Road Junction: Teams are installing new traffic crossing signals and completing road upgrades at the junction of Parkhills Road and Manchester Road.
• Manchester Road Resurfacing: The next phase includes resurfacing Manchester Road between Gigg Lane and Ashlor Street.
• Temporary Closures: Resurfacing works will begin in early September, requiring temporary night-time road closures and signed diversions to minimize daytime traffic disruption.

Commuters should monitor local diversion signs when traveling through these zones.

Bury Active Travel Scheme and Corridor Coordinates

The table below breaks down the project funding, key locations, junction designs, and upcoming resurfacing phases established for the Bury transport network:

Project Funding	Key Street Upgraded	Redesigned Junction	Regional Transport Network	Upcoming Resurfacing Phase
£5.7 Million	Market Street	CYCLOPS junction at Wellington Road	Greater Manchester Bee Network	Manchester Road (starts early Sept)
City Region Settlement	Angouleme Way section	Raised table at Trinity Street	Fishpool & Pimhole Active Travel	Night-time road closures & diversions
Challenge Fund	Grosvenor Street link	Pedestrian-controlled crossings	Bury Athletics Club footpath	Parkhills Road signal installations

These coordinates outline the funding, locations, junction reconfigurations, and construction timelines established for the active travel scheme.

Resource Stewardship and Environmental Benefits

For the traveler, the benefit of utilizing active travel infrastructure is the reduction in personal transport emissions. Shifting short commutes from private vehicles to walking and cycling paths helps lower local air pollution and reduces traffic pressure on town center roads.

Additionally, upgraded bus stops and footpaths support municipal businesses by making retail corridors accessible without a car. Following signed diversions during night-time road closures helps maintain safety for highway maintenance crews.

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Visitor and Commuter Insider Tips: Navigating the Upgrades

If you are planning to travel through Bury's town center, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Utilize the Segregated Cycle Lanes: Use the dedicated cycle lanes along Market Street to separate yourself from motor vehicle traffic.
• Monitor Early September Road Closures: Plan journeys around the night-time resurfacing closures scheduled for Manchester Road in early September.
• Observe CYCLOPS Signals: Pay attention to the cycling traffic signals at the Wellington Road junction to safely cross vehicle lanes.
• Yield to Pedestrians at Trinity Street: Slow down when approaching the raised table at Trinity Street, as pedestrians have priority.
• Access Bury Athletics Club Safely: Use the new continuous footpath near the sports facilities to reach the club entrance without walking on the road.

Long-Term Outlook for Bury's Sustainable Transport

The long-term outlook for Bury's transport infrastructure is focused on expanding low-emission bus fleets, connecting secondary cycling paths to the Bee Network, and implementing traffic-calming measures in residential neighborhoods. As municipal travel needs grow, transport boards will rely on active travel schemes to keep the town center accessible.

By maintaining high safety standards and providing integrated transport options, the borough aims to build a modern travel network.

FAQ

How much did the Market Street transport upgrade cost?

The Market Street transport improvement project cost £5.7 million, funded through sustainable transport settlements.

What is a CYCLOPS junction?

A CYCLOPS (Cycle Optimised Protected Signals) junction is an layout that separates cyclists and pedestrians from vehicle traffic using dedicated crossing paths and signals.

When will the Manchester Road resurfacing start?

The resurfacing works on Manchester Road are scheduled to begin in early September, requiring temporary night-time closures.

How does the project connect to the wider region?

The upgrades link walking and cycling paths to Greater Manchester's integrated Bee Network transport system.

Stay updated on the road improvements and active travel schemes shaping Greater Manchester transit.

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