The project team are currently working on analysing comments from the engagement exercise that took place at the back end of last year. As a result of the pandemic we are a little behind on analysing data and we really appreciate your patience whilst the team prepare next steps for Urmston Active Neighbourhood. We will be in touch soon to present the next stage for the scheme. Thank you for understanding.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1611319082/projects/urmstonactiveneighbourhoodmap/9d82746f-de99-43e2-a84a-67e170cd0bb6.jpg" />

Update on Urmston Active Neighbourhood

One Trafford Partnership, a collaboration between Trafford Council and Amey Plc, have been awarded circa £11.3m through the Mayor’s Challenge Fund bidding process to create an active neighbourhood in the area of Urmston (including Flixton, Davyhulme East and Davyhulme West.) The project known as Urmston Active Neighbourhood aims to encourage people in making walking and cycling a natural choice for shorter journeys, which will improve their health, while improving the air quality in the area.I have been working as part of the project team for the Mayor’s Challenge Fund Urmston Active Neighbourhood Scheme since it first launched earlier in the year. During the launch event my main role was to showcase the engagement website where the community were able to log on and provide comments in areas across Urmston, where they wanted changes to be made.Once the initial consultation period came to an end, my role became a little more analytical, which included collating the data from the approx. 3,300 comments that were uploaded to the engagement site and analysing these to create solutions and proposals to feedback to the community. I also collected collision data from across Urmston (including all four wards) over the last five years and cross referenced this information with the comments received via the engagement site. A report was then created providing all the data and the measures that could be implemented to address the collisions and to make Urmston an active neighbourhood.To make the report as diverse and inclusive as possible it was important for me to create location plans, as well as illustrations of the measures and present these in plain English, so that they could be added to the virtual reality room.The second part of the consultation is to engage with the people of Urmston and continue our dialogue with them to progress the project and continue the momentum that began as part of the initial consultation. We want the community to discuss their thoughts about the project, before any proposals are finalised.To get involved in the next stage of the engagement exercise, visit the virtual room which consists of all the data, illustrations and location plans or register to attend online web chat sessions to speak to the project team. Find out more about Urmston Active Neighbourhood by visiting www.trafford.gov.uk/UrmstonActiveNeighbourhoodBilal ValleyEngineering Degree Apprentice at One Trafford Partnership<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1583939196/projects/urmstonactiveneighbourhoodmap/b95b3c9d-f325-4634-bfc0-bbb0c049ac8e.jpg" />

Urmston Active Neighbourhood: Engaging with the community virtually

One Trafford Partnership (a collaboration between Amey Plc and Trafford Council) has launched an interactive web-based tool to continue engagement with local residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders on the walking and cycling proposals for the Urmston Active Neighbourhood project.The scheme is part of the Bee Network vision proposed by Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner to make Greater Manchester an easier place for people to get around on foot or by bike. In support of this ambition, the Mayor of Greater Manchester allocated £160 million to the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund (MCF), which the team at One Trafford Partnership were successful in securing circa £11.3m through a bidding process, to develop an active neighbourhood across the region. The engagement exercise follows on from the Urmston Active Neighbourhood launch event earlier this year which invited residents and businesses to attend and have their say on developing proposals, to improve Urmston (including Flixton, Davyhulme East and Davyhulme West) as a place to live, work and visit. Approx. 600 people attended the event, which kick-started the consultation and also included the launch of the engagement website, that was used to gather feedback from the community on the changes that they wanted in their local wards. Approx. 3,400 comments were received that have now been analysed by the project team to create initial proposals for the scheme.Despite the Covid-19 restrictions, the project team have progressed the project and want to give the community a chance to feedback on the initial proposals. Using virtual reality, a web-based room has been created to replicate what would be expected visually at an engagement event. The room can be accessed using a computer or an android phone and showcases consultation materials via pop-up banners, sound demonstrations, videos, maps, example drawings and much more. Councillor Stephen Adshead, Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change, at Trafford Council said: “In the current climate and unforeseen challenges, it is important for the council to continue public engagement, especially on projects that promote active lifestyles. This virtual reality platform will help us to bring communities together during a time where it is not safe for vulnerable groups to leave the house. “Following the launch of this platform we will consider utilising similar tools to continue our focus on digitalising community engagement, working alongside our partner Amey Plc.”The pioneering platform allows for feedback so public reaction can be captured and a chat function is also accessible which allows further engagement with the project team and local Ward Councillors, who will be on hand to discuss the proposals and answer any queries.Steve Tilby, Principal Engineer, at One Trafford Partnership said: “Using digital engagement tools will help us to reach the wider community so that they can understand what we are proposing and communicate their concerns without leaving their own homes. “Amid the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, we are doing everything we can to help ensure the safety and well-being of our employees, maintain operational resilience and provide solutions that can help the community across Trafford.”The Urmston Active Neighbourhood project is the largest walking and cycling scheme across Greater Manchester. The project team at One Trafford Partnership are hopeful that using similar platforms for the other MCF schemes within the borough will provide a resilient solution for future consultation processes. Greater Manchester&#39;s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: &quot;It&#39;s fantastic to see high levels of engagement with this project and well done to Trafford Council for continuing to make every effort to work with residents during this lockdown period. Active Neighbourhoods can bring a wealth of benefits to communities, creating quieter and safer streets for play, walking and travelling by bike as well as boosting local high streets.&quot; Learn more about Urmston Active Neighbourhood, book on to a webchat session and view the virtual reality platform by visiting <a href="https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/community/partnerships-and-communities/Urmston-Active-Neighbourhood/Urmston-Active-Neighbourhood.aspx">https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/community/partnerships-and-communities/Urmston-Active-Neighbourhood/Urmston-Active-Neighbourhood.aspx</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1605520457/projects/urmstonactiveneighbourhoodmap/1ea90cdd-f3d0-4b80-9512-047c06da3340.jpg" />

One Trafford Partnership launch virtual reality platform to continue community engagement during Covid-19 pandemic

Add your voice and help improve cycling and walking routes in the Urmston Flixton, Davyhulme East and Davyhulme West Wards.