Manchester City Council has announced plans to improve its transport network to enable 90% of all peak morning trips to the city centre to be made using public transport or active travel by 2040.
The ambition is outlined in the Council’s City Centre Transport Strategy (CCTS) and follows a consultation in 2022 to improve the road network in the city centre.
Some of the key projects as part of the plan will include: bringing in a CYCLOPS junction at Peter Street/Quay Street; improved bus stop integration with cycle lanes; implementation of sustainable drainage, such as shrubs or rain gardens, on some roads; increasing the radius of a junction to slow down vehicles; bus stop relocation to cater for increased use; and additional disabled parking bays, among other initiatives.
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 on the Manchester City Council website.
These projects were funded through the UK government’s Active Travel Fund.
Cllr 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.”
As well as encouraging more active travel and public health improvements, the council hopes to reduce congestion entering the city centre, reduce the risk from road traffic accidents.
