CitySession - Manchester Transport Update - 17th March

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INVITATION: CitySession - Manchester Transport Update Date: Thursday 17 March Time: 8am - 10am Location: The Cobden Rooms, Manchester Central (Guests to arrive via main Central Foyer entrance) View map. Cost: Free

We are pleased to announce the new date for our CitySession: Manchester Transport Update. As you had previously registered to attend this event back in November, we wanted to give you the opportunity to be one of the first guests to register for the new date.  Join CityCo, TfGM, Manchester City Council and Network Rail for a transport update from across the city. This is your chance to hear updates on all aspects of transport across Manchester including the latest on Metrolink’s Second City Crossing from Metrolink Director, Peter Cushing, news of Ordsall Chord from Network Rail Principle Sponsor for the North of England Programme, Patrick Cawley, the latest bus updates from Dave Newton and Nicola Kane, Transport Strategy Director and Manager at TfGM and highways information from Peter Molyneux, Head of Highways at TfGM. This will all follow a special overview from Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council. As well as the latest on these works, Angie Robinson, Chief Executive of Manchester Central, will set the scene for the event with an introduction from Manchester Central, once a major transport hub. The event will begin with refreshments and networking and there will be an opportunity to put your questions to our speakers in a Q&A session.

Our Speakers - Sir Richard Leese – Leader, Manchester City Council - Patrick Cawley - Principal Sponsor for the North of England Programme, Network Rail - Peter Cushing -  Metrolink Director, TfGM - Peter Molyneux – Head of Highways, TfGM - Dave Newton – Transport Strategy Director, TfGM - Nicola Kane – Transport Strategy Manager, TfGM - Introduction from - Angie Robinson -  Chief Executive, Manchester Central

Schedule 8.00am - Registration and refreshments 8.40am - Introduction from Angie Robinson 8:45am - Presentations from our speakers 9.45am - Q&A 10.00am - Close

Please RSVP Please RSVP by clicking here no later than Monday 14 March to reserve your space. When registering for more than one place please remember to enter each guest with a unique email address. Thank you. CityCo events are for members and stakeholders only. If you would like to pass this invitation onto any colleagues outside of your organisation, please email events@cityco.com

February Manchester Critical Mass

It was a dry but chilly evening. The ride got off to a prompt start as I don't think anyone fancied hanging around in the cold wind.



There was a good crowd, but not a large ride, so with three sound systems which couldn't get very far apart we made quite a racket.



We followed the usual route out through Albert Square



and soon crossed Market Street heading for the Northern Quarter.



Several passers by were seen taking video or photos.



With Portland Street blocked we dropped down London Road



and along Grosvenor Street where the drivers stuck in traffic can watch TV...



We then re-entred the city centre along Oxford Road



taking all lanes



then into Castlfield



ending at the Castlefield Arena to join the Fire Jam.



Featuring fire and



spectacular LED displays.

The Cycle Route into a Bus Sandwich - Portland Street is really bad!

The plans for Portland Street were always pretty dreadful, and unlike Oxford Road, our replies to the consultation were completely ignored, and the dangerous designs have been implemented with very few changes.

This set of images follows on from last November's post Portland Street - is this Manchester's most dangerous cycle lane?

The cycle route from here is just an advisory cycle lane.



It even disappears at pedestrian crossings!



As you approach the junction with the bus station things get really bad. First there is this nasty interaction with the taxi rank,



then there is this dreadful 90 degree right turn to get across the bus lane.

This section is very dangerous. It will be far safer to cycle in the bus lane!



However, this is where it gets bonkers...

On Saturday 6th February the cycle lane carried on like this.






However, by yesterday it had become a hole in the ground! I understand there had been an invitation-only meeting at TfGM where this had been discussed, but this is just rearranging the deckchairs whilst the ship sinks. TfGM failed to listen the first time round and now public money is being wasted digging up what has already been installed.



The next section is still in place,



which leads to the tram crossing



and then more intermittent advisory cycle lane leads to the next dreadful design error.



Here you can see how the road has been narrowed, creating a narrow section of cycle lane



which is directly in the path of turning vehicles



as this bus driver demonstrated.



Then we lead into the bus sandwich.



Here you are directed into the gap between the bus stop and the bus lane



before arriving at a token ASL.



The last section is still under construction, so watch this space.



How long before someone gets badly hurt?

The safest position to be in all the way along Portland Street will be the middle of the bus lane, totally avoiding these dreadful cycle lanes.