The project, which is now under way, will include the upgrade of an existing crossing to a push button facility in Balderstone Road, close to the Strand shopping area.
New footpaths will be created along Balderstone Road around the Strand to make it much safer and easier for people to get around. The steps leading to the crossing will also be upgraded, alongside the ramp access.
In addition, a new zebra crossing will be introduced in Balderstone Road close to its junction with Ruskin Road.
The section of Daventry Road close to the Kirkholt medical practice will be realigned to improve visibility around the bend, with footpaths being created on one side where there is currently no pedestrian route. Traffic calming measures will also be introduced along Balderstone Road.
Councillor Shah Wazir, cabinet member for highways, said:
“These improvements, which represent a big investment into the area, will provide a welcome boost to road safety in a thriving neighbourhood.
“The Strand is a fantastic and well used community and shopping facility with a large number of people visiting each day, so it’s vital that they can get around this area safely and easily and make the most of being out and about in the community.
“I’m really pleased that this work is getting under way and I can’t wait to see the end result.”
The Kirkholt project, which is expected to complete in the summer, is one of a number of road safety upgrades being delivered across the borough using funding from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
New pedestrian crossings have already been installed in Oldham Road, Middleton, Shawclough Road, Rochdale and in Halifax Road, Smallbridge, while a scheme in the Hopwood Triangle area of Heywood is also being developed.
