Big and bold changes set for city centre as Council continues push towards sustainable transport

As set out in the Council’s City Centre Transport Strategy (CCTS), a central aim is for 90% of all peak morning trips to the city centre to be made by foot, cycle or public transport by 2040.

Following a consultation in 2022, proposed improvements to the road network in the city centre have been decided on, with work due to start during the summer of 2023.

The changes that will be brought in include:

• A CYCLOPS junction at Peter Street/Quay Street.
• Improved bus stop integration with cycle lanes, allowing cyclists to safely pass buses which have stopped for alighting passengers.
• Implementation of sustainable drainage in the form of shrubs and rain gardens are proposed on Whitworth Street West, Old Deansgate and Chester Road.
• Changes to the junction at Great Jackson Street/Chester Road which has now been included within the scope of this programme – increasing the radius of the junction to naturally slow vehicles, as well as adding a zebra and Belisha beacon crossing.
• Relocation of bus stops to more optimal locations.
• Additional disabled parking bays to improve accessible access on Deansgate.

A full list of the works that will be taking place as part of the Active Travel Fund (ATF) City Centre Scheme can be found via the Council’s website.

Funding for this set of works was secured through the Government’s Active Travel Fund, which supports councils creating easier and safer routes for people to travel.

It is hoped through the CCTS the Council will:

• Encourage more people to walk and cycle along this city centre route.
• Link walking and cycling routes together, providing a linked-up network.
• Reduce the volume of traffic entering the city centre (in line with the CCTS 2040 vision).
• Reduce the risk from road traffic accidents.
• Deliver health, environmental and congestion benefits.

Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Transforming the way in which we get around Manchester is a key ambition of the Council in the coming years. From a car-dominated model we want to encourage more people to walk, wheel or use public transport to get around.

“But in order to encourage this change we need to re-imagine the infrastructure across our city. By giving over more space to pedestrian and cyclists we hope to encourage a shift towards more environmentally friendly ways of travelling, as well as finding new ways to boost people’s health and wellbeing.”