Proposals I have been working up for the introduction of a cycle hire scheme across the City of Manchester were unveiled in our budget today at Council.

The scheme would mean that cycles could be hired throughout the city centre, at tourist attractions and also in our district centres.

John Cameron and I met today with the people organising the cross city bus route to raise our concerns about the potential impact of closing Oxford Road to all but busses, taxis and cycles on the Burnage area.

We have asked that the impact on the 50 be carefully measured, that bus and cycle lanes be considered for Kingsway and that a safe alternative route be designated and signposted for cyclists rather than having to negotiate the roundabouts at the north end of Kingsway.

Met with Cllr Keith Whitmore, Lib Dem chair of the Greater Manchester body overseeing passenger transport to discuss getting support for some initiatives in Burnage.  It was a good meeting.

The full governing body met tonight, and the school continues to improve.

Thought I did very well to cycle from work to Green End School in 30 minutes, unfortunately I had picked up a puncture on the way so the journey back home was a little more arduous.  Still the puncture was easily fixed.  Ah well, that’s life I guess.

For our generation today is the day. Its time for the Liberal Democrats.

The local Liberal Democrats are campaigning to restore low floor, easy access buses to the 44 bus route along Parrs Wood Road.Previously, all the buses on the 44 route were easy access, which allowed disabled and elderly people, along with those with push chairs, to get on and off easily.

Then minibuses were put on, which had steep stairs, making if difficult or impossible for many to use the bus.

Councillor Iain Donaldson said:

 “We wrote and complained about the situation to the Greater Manchester Transport Executive, and there are now some easy access mini buses on the 44 route. However, we want to see all low floor buses, so that those who have push chairs or mobility problems can go catch the bus safe in the knowledge that they will be able to get on.”