A new consultation has been launched to give Mancunians a say on fresh plans for the next phase of the Manchester to Chorlton walking and cycling scheme.
This follow-up exercise will allow local residents and businesses to comment on revised proposals for the leg of the route running from St Anne’s Road, along Barlow Moor Road and then on to Manchester Road at its junction with Upper Chorlton Road and Seymour Grove.
This section is referred to as “Area 3” of the scheme.
During the original consultation – which was held by Manchester City Council in 2018 – the majority of the 1,800 people who responded were broadly supportive of the scheme as a whole, however, several local concerns for Area 3 were raised.
These included the threat of rat-running through residential streets and the safety of schoolchildren using them, congestion at the ‘Four Banks’ crossroads, and cycling safety on the Chorlton Metrolink bridge, as well as comments also being made about the condition of the local pavements.
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Many suggested that speed-reduction measures would be beneficial in the vicinity of schools and on routes that children take to school.
Following a review of all the comments previously received, changes have now been made to the original scheme design to which members of the public are asked to provide further feedback on should they wish.
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These include:
• New speed tables and junction redesigns, to reduce vehicle speed, improve traffic flow and make crossing easier and safer. • The removal of proposed ‘Copenhagen-style’ bus stops, instead providing bus stop bypasses where possible. • Reviewing proposed banned movements at signal-controlled junctions, to consider the impacts on the adjacent road network. • Improvements to pavements to be included as part of the work.
Speaking on the launch of the new consultation, Councillor Angeliki Stogia – Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport at Manchester City Council – said: “This scheme will increase the number of people who choose walking and cycling for their journeys by making these options safer.
“Reducing dependence on the car for short journeys, especially around schools, will improve residents’ health and wellbeing, while also boosting the local economy by creating a more attractive district centre.
“Having taken careful notice of what residents and businesses told us in the first consultation, we have proposed a series of changes which we believe will help to address the issues raised in this area, while also making walking and cycling the popular choice for local travel.”
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Keen to have your say?
The Manchester to Chorlton Walking and Cycling Scheme is open until Thursday 14th January.
You can visit the Manchester City Council website here to contribute your take on the proposed plans, and anyone who wants to seek further information can email [email protected].
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Manchester has been named one of the most ‘stressful’ places to drive in the UK
Emily Sergeant
The UK’s most challenging driving locations have been revealed, according to new data… and isn’t good news for Manchester.
No matter whether you’re a new driver or have years of experience behind the wheel, some roads can test even the most confident of motorists.
From congestion and poor road conditions, to limited parking and higher incident rates, it’s fair to say that some areas make driving more stressful.
But which parts of the UK are the hardest to drive in?
Well, in a bid to answer that question, MoneySuperMarket has analysed a whole host of data – such as road infrastructure, road safety, road conditions, vehicle crime concerns, and insurance-related trends – for 58 UK cities, boroughs, and local authorities to create a drivability score and discover the locations that drivers find most stressful.
Manchester has been named one of the most ‘stressful’ places to drive in the UK / Credit: Manchester City Council | pxfuel
Manchester, unfortunately, claimed third place on the list of top 10 most challenging locations for drivers – with an overall drivability score of 25 out of 100.
Other northern cities and towns like Leeds, Preston, Blackpool, Bradford, Wakefield, and Oldham have founded themselves in the top 10 too, meaning the North West is sadly the most-represented area.
Top 10 Most Challenging Locations For Drivers
Croydon
Derby
Manchester
Leeds
Preston
Birmingham
Blackpool
Bradford
Wakefield
Oldham
The findings also reflect some of the concerns drivers experience on the road, with more than a third of motorists (34%) saying they have avoided driving because they were travelling in an unfamiliar area, while almost a third (32%) have chosen not to drive due to heavy traffic or congestion.
Dealing with impatient or aggressive drivers was the most commonly cited source of stress, with almost two-thirds of motorists (65%) saying they find situations such as tailgating and beeping stressful.
“Driving is part of everyday life for millions of people, but our research shows just how much stress and uncertainty it can bring,” commented Alicia Hempsted, who is a Car Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket.
“Particularly in areas where there are more incidents recorded, car-related thefts are more common, or where there is heavier traffic or less familiar roads.”
Featured Image – pxfuel
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Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Emily Sergeant -
7th December 2020 
