New plans are set to go out for public consultation on the future layout of two key Manchester city centre roads, aiming to make them both safer and more pleasant to use.
In February and March this year Manchester City Council announced plans to make improvements to John Dalton Street and Bridge Street.
This was based on the ambition to improve how people got around the city centre and to focus on what elements could be improved.
During that consultation members of the public told us that there was popular support for widening footpaths along these roads, increasing space for people queuing at bus stops and creating new crossing points.
Feedback was also taken regarding the width of the carriageway and how if they were made narrower it would increase congestion and negatively impact the goals of this scheme.
Taking this on board the Council is preparing to launch the next stage of the consultation process, with people being invited to make their thoughts known from Monday, November 25.
Click here to visit our website to take part in the consultation.
Under the new plans, the following changes have been made:
Bus stops – bus stops in John Dalton Street and Bridge Street will be incorporated into laybys, rather than in the carriageway. This will allow traffic to flow while buses are stopping and prevent potential disruption during peak times.
Bus stops will also be made longer to allow two buses to stop at the same time without interrupting traffic.
Pedestrians – Footways are to be widened where space allows, especially at junctions where people gather in large numbers to cross.
Additional crossings are to be added in the following locations
- Gartside Street with Bridge Street West
- St Mary’s Parsonage with Bridge Street
- Deansgate and John Dalton Street
- John Dalton Street with Cross Street
- Princess Street and Clarence Street
Loading bays – these bays will remain accessible for businesses between 6-10am, after which they will revert to footways during the remainder of the day.
On the north side of Bridge Street and John Dalton Street, we have changed loading arrangements to help keep traffic lanes clear, with loading allowed for up to 15 mins at non-peak times. There are also additional bays on side streets with longer loading periods.
Additional provision will also be made for taxis as well as disabled spaces for parking, with new spaces for both being added.
This piece of work forms part of the Council’s wider ambition to improve walking and cycling provision across the city centre, encouraging people to travel via more environmentally friendly modes of transport, and making the city a more vibrant and welcoming space for residents, workers and visitors.
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “This project gives us an opportunity to make positive changes around how people travel in the city centre. We want people to view the city centre as a great place to live, work or visit and to achieve that we need to make bold changes.
“These two streets are some of the most-used routes in the city and its important that we ensure the public’s views are reflected in any future changes that may take place.
“We want to make the city a safe and easy place for people to get around by walking or wheeling, as well as making it more accessible for people using public transport. I’d encourage everyone to please take part in this consultation so that their voices are heard.”