Local Democracy Reporting Service
A vicar has blamed an “awkward” cycle lane and one-way road for driving his elderly congregation away and leaving his church “completely isolated.”
The cycleway was built along Gorsey Lane in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, in 2023, blocking access to the car park at St Margaret’s Church for cars turning off the busy A56 Dunham Road.
Reverend David Murray said there had been an exodus of worshippers who “have been getting lost” due to the changes, with average attendances falling from about 100 to 60.
A spokesman for Trafford Council said a consultation had been held on the changes, with signs since put in place to direct people to the church entrance.
The cycle lane’s construction and the designation of Gorsey Lane as a one-way street has meant cars on Dunham Road now have to drive an extra half mile to access the church car park.
Rev Murray said the restriction had also hit numbers at Sunday School and the nursery sessions held at the church.
He said: “People have been getting lost and they’ve said it’s too awkward.
“Added to that, the roads around the church are covered with double yellow lines. We feel we are being completely isolated.”
Jackie Campbell, a team leader for pastoral care on the St Margaret’s parochial church council, said most of the congregation are elderly people who arrive by car.
She said: “They need to get up to the front door by car. It’s great to be on a bike, and they wish they could, be on a bike or take public transport, but they can’t.”
‘Disruption’
Phil Eckersley, councillor for the local Bowdon ward, said the changes had “significantly affected access”.
He called on the council to “re-evaluate whether the scheme’s benefits truly outweigh the disruption it has caused to long-standing community institutions and residents’ daily lives.”
The council said the work was intended to “make journeys on foot or by bike much easier and more attractive, to help create a more connected and accessible region”.
