Manchester Launches CYCLOPS Junction Design to Boost Bee Network

This week sees the official opening of the Royce Road CYCLOPS junction, the first of its kind in this country.

It is the next major part of the Chorlton to Manchester cycle route to be completed, and links up with the recently redesigned Deansgate Interchange. Work has been ongoing during the COVID-19 crisis, and during the recent heatwave a few friendly local cyclists even helped out the construction workers with a few cold drinks!

Contractors working hard in the blazing heat on finishing the Chorlton Cycleway to get it open for us tomorrow!

Sadly all their drinks in the lorry were boiling but @UrmstonDeb came to the rescue with cold Pepsi and eccles cakes! Amazing gesture and one to copy! pic.twitter.com/0mgy2sxb0T

— Sam 🚴🌱🍻Ⓥ (@MCRCycleSam) June 25, 2020

A CYCLOPS (short for ‘Cycle Optimised Protected Signals’) junction is one designed with an orbital cycle track around it. This makes crossing the junction safer for people walking and people cycling, and reduces the risk of ‘left-hook’ turns from cars.

CYCLOPS FULL LOOP IN ONE GREEN STAGE 🟢 pic.twitter.com/JjwFlySy4V

— Harry Gray (@HarryHamishGray) July 1, 2020

The original plan was for this section to be completed by October 2019, and there were genuine fears that this project might never see the light of day, so it’s great to finally see this kind of serious cycle infrastructure being put in place in our city.

On Monday, Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner Chris Boardman filmed himself having a look around it, and this gives an idea of how it will work once fully operational:

Our minimum design standard: 'must be usable by a competent 12yr old' the only way to ensure 'non-cyclists' will use it. Nowhere is this more important than at junctions. This Cyclops junction, a UK first, is one of more than 20 going in to deliver that 👏👇@mancitycouncil pic.twitter.com/l8F9iHoDyU

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) June 29, 2020