Pell Frischmann Awarded Best Practice for the Gillbent Road Sparrow Crossing at 2022 CIHT North West Awards

Pell Frischmann is delighted to have been awarded Best Practice at the 2022 CIHT North West Awards. The award recognises the outstanding Gillbent Road scheme delivered in alliance with Stockport Council.

Gillbent Road is the first LTN 1/20 compliant Sparrow Crossing designed and constructed in the UK. This signal-controlled parallel crossing allows people travelling on foot and by bike to cross the road separately from each other, therefore allowing safer and easier journeys and encouraging active travel. This is an exceptional example of sustainable infrastructure that delivers tangible benefits helping Stockport Council enhance the walking/cycling network and achieve carbon net-zero targets.

As this was the first crossing of its kind, it was essential that the design layout was clear in order to develop intuitive behaviour from its users. Pell Frischmann has been praised for the responsive and innovative approach to meeting the scheme objectives, and the new infrastructure is now being used extensively.

Chris Boardman, England’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner said:

“The Gillbent Road crossing is a fine example of how removing the risks posed by junctions can open up a wide range of routes to connect people to the places they want to get to, with confidence. Making crossing the road easy and safe, no matter how you’re travelling, is key to getting people to have a go at walking to the shops, or doing the school run by bike”

On the award, Pell Frischmann’s Divisional Director Matthew Davies said:

“We are delighted with this CIHT award for best practice recognising our work and the work of our client, stakeholders and partners on the Gillbent Road scheme. Collaborative design delivery, a partnering agreement/one team approach with stakeholders and ECI from inception created a “can do” environment. This approach enabled streamlined decision-making,  it fast-tracked design delivery/approvals and facilitated the site works within a very challenging programme. Well done to all the Pell Frischmann staff involved in this project.”

The evening was also a triumph for Pell Frischmann’s Senior Transport Planner Alex Parkin who organised and hosted the event in her role as CIHT North West Events Coordinator. Pell Frischmann is proud to see our people making such a great contribution to the industry. Congratulations to Alex and all involved.