Let's Talk Clean Air Whalley Range

Manchester has some of the worst air quality in the country. Amongst other effects, air pollution in Manchester contributes to high rates of asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer and climate change. A primary school in Whalley Range was in the pilot last year for the Asthma Friendly Schools project being one of the 8 schools with the highest hospital admissions for breathing problems in Greater Manchester. The photo gallery below shows some of the activities and banners that have been made by local people and organisations, working to improve the air.

We have lots of plans for 2026

Don’t miss joining us on Clean Air Day after our unforgettable puppet parade last year. 

This year Clean Air day is on Thursday 18th June.

On the day we are planning to have a banner over Princess Parkway during the evening rush hour with puppets. 

On Sunday 21 June there will be a picnic in Alex Park. The walk will start at 1pm at the triangle where Manchester Road, Clarendon West and Buckingham Road meet at this location and will have pick up points on the way. There will be a picnic in the park at 2pm.

Please put the dates on your calendar now and look out for more details in this website.

TRANSPORT SURVEY  

We wanted to find out what could be done to improve access to public transport. So, in October to December 2025 we ran a short survey – What Would Make the Bee Network Better for Whalley Range. We collected over 200 responses. They provided evidence on the need to improve the reliability and frequency of existing bus services. But they also revealed a particular local problem. As existing bus services run round the edges of Whalley Range, the walking distance to the nearest bus stop is a problem for many residents. 

The clear messages were that 85% of people want a bus service down Withington Road and 80% would use a small local bus to link all parts of Whalley Range to the nearest tram stop.  

You can see a copy of the report of the survey here. 

We have shared the results with the Mayor, Andy Burnham, and Transport for Greater Manchester and we have enlisted support from our local councillors to push for the changes we need to make busses an easier and more attractive choice for us all.  

BETTER BIKE STORAGE

People who would like to cycle more tell us that one problem they face is the lack of safe storage space for their bikes. It is a particular problem for people living in flats. Carrying bikes up stairs and storing them in hallways or kitchens is not a practical option. As part of our discussion on new developments in the area, we raise the issue of bike storage. Where planning permission is being sought for new apartment blocks what provision for bike storage will be made. What can the council do to provide more on-street storage without excessive cost for users?

Walk to Connect is a walking project designed to increase walking and wheeling around Whalley Range. 

Our project will highlight and promote all the existing attractive walking routes through Whalley Range. We will work with our Hub organisations to encourage people to use the routes to include more walking in their daily lives, by linking places people visit regularly— such as shops, doctors’ surgeries, schools and the park.

As we develop these routes we will be learning more about local issues such as air quality, accessibility, transport links and what makes for safer streets. This will help us in our campaigning work going forwards.

Identifying the routes

• Routes will connect key destinations using quieter, low-traffic streets and will include points of beauty and interest.

• We will draw on local knowledge and experience to identify the best routes, working with local people to agree the features that make a good route

• Walk descriptions will highlight things to see along the way, such as autumn trees, green spaces and historic buildings.

• We will test the routes with potential users and check accessibility (e.g., dropped kerbs).

• We will produce maps both online and on paper:

• We will work with organisations in the Whalley Range Clean Air Hub to encourage them to develop their own routes

• Our routes will link with other walking route projects in nearby areas, connecting routes across neighboring areas.

• We will promote the routes through our local networks.

• We will use the routes to support community activities and campaigns, such as Clean Air Day.

Watch out for more news about Walk to Connect as the project develops.

Woodburning produces high levels  of tiny soot particles (called PM2.5). These particles can be breathed deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems for the people in the household and for residents nearby. 

LTCA supports the call for woodburning to be phased out in urban areas because of the harm it causes. You can find out more about the campaign in this serious public health issue on the Mums for Lungs website

Friends of Alexandra Park are asking the council to make the contract for the next ice cream van in the Park an electric one.

LTCA is part of the Manchester Healthy Air Coalition which meets with   Greater Manchester Combined Authority Chair, Andy Burnham and Transort for Greater Manchester

We engage in conversations about proposed developments to ensure decision makers are aware how they might undermine the work our diverse network of organisations is doing to clean up the air.