Active Neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester

Project summary

Active neighbourhoods are being introduced across Greater Manchester as part of the Bee Network. Active neighbourhoods are places where people are prioritised over vehicles and are part of a policy landscape seeking to connect place and mobility and to develop local neighbourhoods where people can enjoy walking and cycling with confidence. In this research, such neighbourhoods are a lens through which to understand the implementation of walking and cycling interventions from the perspective of diverse communities; develop a qualitative baseline of perceptions and behaviours relating to them; and add to the evidence base on effective strategies for increasing rates of active travel. Through four case study interventions in Stockport, Salford, Manchester and Bury, this research demonstrates the potential of active neighbourhoods in their current form, but also highlights concerns regarding accessibility and inclusion, particularly in terms of walking infrastructures. A number of recommendations are made centralising inclusive design, communication and engagement, and monitoring and evaluation.

Read the Project Report – Active Neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester: Qualitative insights into resident experiences across four case study interventions (pdf)

Read the Project Executive Summary – Active Neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester: Qualitative insights into resident experiences across four case study interventions (pdf)

This is an illustration showing a young girl on a pink bicycle with a dog running beside her, cycling along a filtered road filtered using two planters. Each planter has signs indicating no-through route for motor vehicles. There are two birds eating crumbs on the ground and beyond the planters is a larger road. A woman is walking along the pavement with some shopping and, on the opposite side of the road, in front of terrace houses, children are standing together on the pavement. In the distance are three high rise tower blocks. — A number of illustrations were made for this report. This illustration represents the words of Lily (age 7): “I like cycling because it doesn’t hurt the planet and it gives you lots of strength”

Additional Project outputs

Seminar Contribution: Active Neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester (Healthy Active Cities)

Seminar Contribution: Active Neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester (Transport for the North)

Blog: #walktoschoolweek 2020, Levenshulme

Blog: Active travel and Twitter. Language matters

Project contacts

Harriet Larrington-Spencer, Researcher , Healthy Active Cities
H.M.Larrington-Spencer@salford.ac.uk

Graeme Sherriff, Research Fellow, University of Salford
G.Sherriff@salford.ac.uk