Hundreds of Trafford residents celebrated the improved walking and cycling routes in Gorse Hill Park.

The ‘Ride and Stride’ Party in the Park, organised by Trafford Council, drew visitors to the park on foot and bikes to mark the opening of the updated junctions on Talbot Road.

Attendees on July 31 enjoyed services provided by Manchester Face Painting, Manchester Friends of the Earth, Bike Right, and Bee Pedal Ready.

There were free bike maintenance checks and a pre-owned bike sale conducted by Recycle for Greater Manchester’s Renew Hub team.

Many families reached the park via the newly improved cycle routes on Talbot Road.

Featuring a novel CYCLOPS junction supported by the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, these enhancements are a part of the broader North Active Travel Corridor project.

This scheme aims to link the M60 to downtown Stretford.

A parent who attended the event said: "I love the new junctions.

"It has made it a lot safer to cycle as a family when we are doing the school run and also to ride to work."

Councillor Aidan Williams, executive member for climate change at Trafford Council, added: “It was amazing to see Gorse Hill Park full of residents enjoying the sun and celebrating the new active travel improvements we have made in the surrounding area.

"Trafford Council is committed to helping everyone move more, every day, and part of our plan to realise this ambition is to put the infrastructure in place to allow travelling actively to be a viable option for more people in the borough.

“We’re currently upgrading the A56 coned cycle lane with a segregated permanent option, and we have just secured funding for further upgrades on the Seymour Grove junction, so our work is very much continuing at pace in this area!

"Once these are complete, we will have a safer cycle route all the way from Stretford into the heart of Manchester city centre. I’d like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while this work was being completed.”