![]() The Diocese of Manchester has a unique opportunity to play a vital role in Beelines, which is a radical plan by Chris Boardman and Transport for Greater Manchester to transform Greater Manchester into Britain's first 'cycling'city'.As we continue to work towards becoming an Eco Diocese, a plan to revolutionise how people travel in our city has been unveiled and is gaining momentum. Many of our churches within the boundary of Greater Manchester may soon find that they are on a 'Beeline': over 1000 miles of a fully joined up cycling and walking network. As the work on improving the city's infrastructure gets underway, our churches can begin to make provisions for people on bikes - in ways both large and small. As well as welcoming potential new members to their congregations, as cross-city travel becomes easier, healthier and safer, churches can also embrace opportunities to invite passing foot and bicycle traffic in through the church doors, as tourism and car-free activity increases. These changes will of course help to enhance our churches' chances of being awarded eco church status by A Rocha. Welcoming cycling forms an important part of the Lifestyle and Buildings sections of the awards. For more information about any of the churches, click on the black pin to visit its page on A Church Near You Sources: 1. Church of England Church Commissioners 2. Contains Transport for Greater Manchester data. "Churches are a fantastic hub that can bring people together; places where a lot of things can happen and be organised for the good of an entire community. By supporting cycling they can help people get around in a more ecologically friendly, healthy and pleasant way."Chris Boardman - Greater Manchester Cycling and Walking Commissioner
Case Study: St John the Evangelist, Old Trafford |