The speed limit on the Mancunian Way could be permanently reduced in a bid to reduce serious road traffic collisions in the future.
Since November 2022, a TTRO (Temporary Traffic Regulation Order) has been in place along the major thoroughfare in and out of the city centre, and was brought in following a review, both on the number and nature, of collisions that took place on the road during the past five years.
The TTRO reduced the official speed limit on the Mancunian Way from 50mph to 30mph – and now, it appearsManchester City Council wants to make this permanent.
After reviewing data between May 2016 to May 2021, and discovering that a total of 47 verified collisions took place, with 58 confirmed victims who had been injured as a result of these collisions, the Council is keen to take action and make changes for good.
Councillors say this data shows “a stark picture”, especially as it’s possible these figures could be even higher due to incidents and injuries that went unreported.
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Manchester Council are proposing to make the 30mph speed limit on the Mancunian Way permanent, and we want your views on this in a consultation that's live until 17 December.
With what it says is a “direct link” between speed and the risk of a serious collision on the road, the Council has made the decision to launch a “potentially lifesaving” consultation on the prospect of reducing the speed limit by 20mph to 30mph on a permanent.
As well as working in consultation with National Highways and the Department for Transport (DfT) on this, the Council is also keen to gain input from the Greater Manchester public.
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“The Mancunian Way is no longer designed to cope with the levels of traffic it sees daily,” explained Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council.
The Mancunian Way speed limit could be permanently dropped to 30mph / Credit: Michael Coughlan (via Flickr)
“We have gone from an age that saw tens thousands of cars on the road to millions, yet this road is still operating under the same principles it launched under 50 years ago [so] ultimately, we are hoping to prevent injury and potentially save lives by introducing this change.”
According to the Council, the reduction in speed will cover the whole of Mancunian Way between Egerton Street and Fairfield Street – including the 40mph section between Downing Street and Fairfield Street – and will connect the road to existing 20mph or 30mph streets in an attempt to “make the whole area 30mph or below”.
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The consultation has now officially launched, with local residents urged to have their say, and will run for four weeks before closing on Thursday 7 December.
You can find out more give your input online here.
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
24th November 2023 
