Work has begun on a new scheme to carry out junction works in Old Trafford as part of efforts to increase safer cycling and walking in the area.

The improvements to the junctions of Talbot Road and Boyer Street, Talbot Road and Seymour Grove, and Talbot Road and Chester Road will connect with the recently completed junction at Talbot Road and White City Way.

The works have been funded through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Mayor’s Challenge Fund.

The fund seeks to promote active travel - including walking, wheeling, and cycling - and "expresses Trafford's ambition of an integrated active corridor from the M60, at Junction 7, through to Stretford and Old Trafford to Manchester and Salford".

Contractor George Cox & Sons Ltd began work on phase one of the £5m scheme on Monday, November 11.

The phase one works are said to specifically focus on active travel facilities along Talbot Road east towards the Seymour Grove junction.

This involves realigning the junction of Talbot Road/Boyer Street to make the crossing point shorter, adjusting the angle at which vehicles turn into and out of Boyer Street so that vehicles slow down, providing a "Sparrow Crossing" where pedestrians and cyclists can separately cross the road in parallel and installing segregated cycle tracks along Talbot Road to link with the junction of White City Way.

Cllr Aidan Williams, executive member for climate change, said: "This scheme is part of the overall programme to improve safer cycling and walking in the borough.

"Trafford Council is totally committed to active travel and making the roads safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.

"We are proud of the work we are carrying out and will continue to promote this type of environmentally-friendly travel throughout the borough."