Heywood’s road scheme sparks concerns for tourism and local businesses

Thursday, April 4, 2024

In the heart of Heywood, a town known for its vibrant community and as a burgeoning spot for local and regional tourism, a new road scheme proposed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is stirring debate among residents, business owners, and stakeholders within the tourism industry. This development, part of the Heywood Town Centre Masterplan, aims to enhance the accessibility and flow of traffic for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus users, promising a facelift to the town’s transportation infrastructure. However, this initiative has raised concerns about potential negative impacts on local traffic congestion, accessibility to the town center for tourists, and the viability of local businesses—factors that are crucial to sustaining Heywood’s appeal as a tourist destination.

Taking a cue from real-life examples, such as the bustling streets of Castleton, where similar transportation schemes have reportedly had adverse effects on local commerce and foot traffic, stakeholders in Heywood’s tourism and retail sectors are apprehensive. These concerns are not unfounded, as seen in other locales where changes in urban mobility plans have significantly altered visitor patterns. For instance, in cities like San Francisco and London, shifts in traffic management and road use priorities have sometimes led to decreased accessibility for motorists, affecting local businesses and, by extension, the tourism sector that thrives on the vibrancy and accessibility of urban centers.

• It has been reported that a significant road scheme planned for Heywood town center, intended to improve accessibility, might actually lead to traffic congestion, as per warnings given to transport authorities.
• The scheme, part of the Heywood Town Centre Masterplan by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), aims to facilitate better journeys for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus users traveling between Rochdale and Bury through Heywood. The plan includes installing new signal-controlled pedestrian and cycle crossings, a section of road exclusive for buses and cyclists, and constructing a new car park.
• However, the Federation of Small Business (FSB) in Greater Manchester has expressed serious concerns regarding the potential increase in traffic and its impact on local businesses. The FSB has communicated these concerns to TfGM, highlighting the potential adverse effects on foot traffic and local commerce.
• Local businesses have shared their apprehensions about the proposal, particularly fearing that the introduction of a bus-only system might lead to severe traffic congestion in the town center, affecting their operations and customer access. Concerns were also raised about the implications for stock deliveries.
• The FSB’s research indicated that the hospitality sector, along with retail businesses, is already facing challenges due to decreased consumer spending power, which could be exacerbated by the proposed road changes.
• Business owners like Stuart Crawford have cited negative experiences in nearby areas due to similar schemes and fear that the proposed changes could deter shoppers, thereby affecting local commerce negatively.
• TfGM, in response to the criticism, has stated that the road improvements are aimed at enhancing journey times and reliability along key bus routes and improving overall accessibility in Heywood. They have emphasized ongoing collaboration with local stakeholders and plans for further engagement to refine the proposals.
• The proposed changes in Heywood town center aim to remove the Bamford Road roundabout, convert certain streets to bus-only access or one-way traffic, install additional pedestrian crossings, and upgrade bus stops to foster greater accessibility.

This initiative, while intended to enhance travel within Heywood, has sparked a debate on its implications for local traffic flow, business operations, and the broader impact on travel and tourism at the global level. The concerns raised by local businesses and the response from TfGM reflect the complex balance between urban development and maintaining vibrant local economies and accessible tourist destinations.

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