Manchester City Council announces plans to lower speed limits across residential and city center areas to 20 mph, aiming to improve road safety and reduce accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. While many residents welcome the initiative, concerns about driver compliance and potential traffic congestion remain.
Plans to decrease speed limits across residential and city center areas of Manchester to 20mph have been met with mixed reactions from the public. While many have praised the move as a sensible step towards improving road safety , particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, some express concerns that drivers will disregard the new limits.
Manchester council unveiled its latest road safety strategy on Tuesday, January 14th, which includes a reduction in speed limits across the city following an increase in accidents involving vulnerable road users. The plan proposes lowering speed limits on some main roads to 30mph, but emphasizes that it will not be a blanket 20mph limit across all streets. Kevin Gillham, Manchester council's head of citywide highways, clarified during a town hall meeting that the 20mph speed limit will primarily be implemented on residential streets, while main roads will retain a 30mph limit. He acknowledged the public's awareness of the backlash faced by the Welsh government's decision to implement a universal 20mph speed limit in all urban areas. The council points out that half of Manchester's residential roads already operate at a 20mph speed limit, but a specific timeline for implementing the remaining changes has yet to be determined. The public response to the proposed speed limit reductions was largely positive, with many residents supporting the initiative. Glen Burns from Sale stated that while he agrees with the concept, he worries about potential traffic congestion, particularly around schools and restricted areas. He believes a 30mph limit on main roads is appropriate, while 20mph is beneficial for residential areas and areas with high pedestrian traffic. Eden Wilkinson, a 24-year-old resident of Moss Side, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for a 20mph speed limit on residential roads due to the high number of children and the prevalence of speeding vehicles. Cyclist Rich Jones, 39, expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting the increased safety for cyclists on roads with designated cycle lanes. He, however, shared his concerns about the lack of cycle lanes on certain main roads like Princess Road, where both motorists and cyclists feel unsafe. Cudjoe Morgan from Heaton Chapel welcomed the reduction in speed limits for the city center, stating that it will create more space for pedestrians and alleviate traffic congestion. However, some voiced concerns about potential traffic disruptions and the effectiveness of the measures. Ahmad Rana, a 25-year-old resident of Old Trafford, acknowledged both the pros and cons of reducing speed limits, emphasizing the need for one-way traffic systems to mitigate congestion if the speed limit is indeed lowered to 20mph. Jacob Thompson, a 27-year-old resident of Whalley Range, expressed his skepticism about the effectiveness of the new speed limits, citing his own experiences with drivers ignoring speed limits on roads near his home, particularly on Withington Road, which is currently a 20mph zone but often sees vehicles exceeding the limit. The council maintained that reducing speed limits is a crucial part of its strategy to address road safety concerns. Coun Tracey Rawlins, executive member for transport, highlighted the alarming rise in serious injuries and fatalities on Manchester's roads and emphasized the council's commitment to exploring all avenues to improve road safety for all users
Speed Limits Road Safety Manchester City Council Pedestrians Cyclists Traffic Congestion
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