15th April 2026

Concerns are growing in Romiley after it emerged that the town’s long-discussed cycle lane scheme has risen in cost from an original estimate of around £1.2 million to a final figure of approximately £1.8 million—while also failing to follow its originally proposed route.

The project, now being delivered by Stockport Council, forms part of the government-backed Active Travel Fund (Tranche 4), a national programme aimed at improving walking and cycling infrastructure. Council documents confirm that the £1.8 million represents the total cost of the current scheme, rather than an overrun of the earlier estimate.

However, for many residents, the distinction offers little reassurance.

From Early Plans to a Different Scheme

Initial proposals dating back to around 2019 were developed under the Mayor’s Challenge Fund and included a more direct cycling route through Romiley. These early plans, costed at roughly £1.2 million, were later shelved as the scheme was reworked to meet the requirements of central government funding.

Under the Active Travel Fund, projects must comply with stricter national design standards prioritising pedestrian and cyclist safety. As a result, the Romiley scheme evolved into a broader package of measures rather than a single continuous cycle lane.

The current design includes new and upgraded crossings, junction changes, traffic calming measures, and elements of a 20mph network—features the council says will improve safety and encourage more sustainable travel.

Why Has the Route Changed?

One of the most frequently raised questions from residents is why the cycle lane has not been delivered along its originally intended alignment.

While the council has not published a single definitive explanation, several factors are understood to have influenced the change:

  • Funding requirements: Active Travel Fund criteria favour routes that can be delivered quickly and meet specific safety standards, sometimes requiring redesign or rerouting.
  • Engineering constraints: Narrow roads, parking pressures, and junction layouts in parts of Romiley may have made the original route difficult to deliver without significant disruption.
  • Consultation feedback: Public responses to earlier proposals may have led to alterations in layout and priorities.
  • Shift in approach: Rather than a single corridor, the scheme now focuses on a network of smaller interventions across the area.

The result is a project that differs notably from what many residents recall from earlier consultations.

Where Did the Extra Money Come From?

Despite speculation, council documentation does not identify a specific “extra” £600,000 funding source. Instead, the evidence suggests that the £1.8 million scheme was fully funded under the Active Travel Fund, replacing the earlier Mayor’s Challenge Fund proposal.

In effect, the project has been redesigned, expanded, and re-costed—rather than simply exceeding its original budget.

Calls for Greater Transparency

Some residents and campaigners argue that clearer communication from the council could have prevented confusion.

“There’s a sense that people signed up to one idea and got another,” said one local resident. “If the plan changed, that’s understandable—but it should have been explained more clearly.”

Others have called for the publication of a full cost breakdown, including how much is being spent on each element of the scheme.

The council has pointed to committee reports presented in 2024 as containing further detail, though these documents are not widely known or easily accessible to the public.

Looking Ahead

Work on the scheme is continuing, with phased road closures and construction taking place across Romiley.

While the long-term aim remains to encourage safer walking and cycling, the debate over cost, design, and delivery shows little sign of slowing.

For many in the community, the key question remains not just how much has been spent—but whether the final scheme reflects what residents were originally promised.