MORE than 600 people had their say on how £2 million should be spent on Prestwich Village's main road.

On November 16 last year, a consultation process began after Bury Council tabled two proposals to transform Bury New Road, both of which would see the road reduced from two lanes to one in each direction between St Mary's Close and Fairfax Road, with pavements widened.

Of the responses - 594 digital and 20 hard copies – 77 per cent were from those who live and work in the area, 22 per cent were from the surrounding areas (such as Whitefield) and six per cent were from businesses.

There were also reactions from local cycling groups, Transport for Greater Manchester and Village Greens.

Labour councillor Jane Black praised the town's contribution to the project, which was discussed at the township forum on Monday.

She said: "The consultation ended on December 30 and the results of that are still being analysed. There was a great response with more than 600 people completing it. About 77 per cent of those were from people who live and work in the Prestwich area.

"All these will be analysed and a report will be considered by the council's cabinet meeting in March as February's will be dedicated to the budget.

"The council is very encouraged by the response to the consultation. The process has been set out from the start and this will give us a feel for what issues matter most."

One major discussion point is how the scheme would benefit both drivers and cyclists.

Cllr Black said: "We have listened and consulted and although we can't please everybody with this scheme – some are in favour of one aspect and others in favour of another – we will do what we can for both sides.

"It will be challenging for us – one cycling club was quite vocal and has given us a number of suggestions. We want the scheme to benefit, drivers, cyclists and buses – but also we want to have an improved traffic flow, which is why we have included bus bays, parking bays and fewer obstructions."