Response to the “Strategic Plan for Manchester City Centre: 2015-18"
This document is at best a plan. It should not be described as a “strategy” since it lacks any overview of how Manchester City Centre functions and most importantly it lacks an overarching vision for the future of Manchester City Centre. It is also largely a backwards facing document, giving a lot of detail about past developments without properly addressing the plans for the future.
The documents also fail to join up with the forthcoming Manchester City Centre Transport Strategy and the wider transport and statutory plans for the area. The way in which the document lists tiny fragments of the area in separate sections, for example Castlefield is separated from Water Street and St John’s Square which fails to address the horrendous impact that the proposed “Sky” development will have on all these areas. Indeed, the separation of the document into sections covering small areas seems to have lead to some confusion and has resulted in some developments being listed in the wrong area.
The key element that is missing from this document are the people of Manchester. Their experiences of living, working, learning and carrying out daily life in the centre are completely absent. The document is all about “development”, “growth”, “investment”, “marketing” and other financial issues. It says very little about how people experience the city centre. It is as if the people of Manchester don’t matter…
Air Quality and Public Health
Air pollution is a major cause of ill health and early mortality in Manchester City Centre. It is a serious problem for all residents along with those who travel into the city for work or leisure. Tacking air quality should be the number one priority for the City Centre as it a major health issue and will put severe limitations on the growth of the area.
The other health crisis facing the people of the area is physical inactivity. The most important measure for the health of the people of this area will be to ensure that they can travel on foot and/or cycle for most, if not all of their daily journeys. The city centre must proritise walking and cycling as a matter of urgency as this will pay huge dividend for public health, both in reducing obesity and improving air quality
The Public Realm
Nowhere is this clearer than in the references to the public realm.
Take for example the references to St Peter’s Square. This area has suffered from the removal of the green space provided by the Peace Garden and the closure of Library Walk. The Cenotaph has been moved from its central position on the site of St Peter’s church and placed out of the way by the back door of the Council House in order to make space for a major tram station which will dominate the whole area.
Other public spaces suffer similar problems:
Piccadilly Gardens is a poor quality bus station and tram interchange with a small area of green space in the area remaining.
Exchange Square is also now given over to an oversized tram stop.
Albert Square is dominated by traffic on 3 sides and is predominantly used as an event space.
Deansgate is one of the most important public spaces in the city, hosting major events, and yet it is given over to traffic 99% of the time.
The only reasonable quality green space in the city centre are smaller areas like Sackville Gardens, St John’s Gardens and Parsonage Gardens. It is notable that there has been a significant loss of green space in recent years with the loss of the Peace Garden in St John’s Square and the loss of Hardman Square.
The city centre now lacks a major public space that gives the city an iconic location for events. There is a need to identify and carve out public space and prevent the further degradation of the few remaining spaces.
Deansgate should be closed to traffic and become a key piece of public realm all year round. It is a major desire line when travelling by bicycle and on foot.
Whilst the city centre has a desperate need for green spaces it has many large squares which are given over to car parking. In China Town the car park by Nicholas Street is a key location that should become green space, along with the Major Street and Aytoun Street car parks whilst the Bloom Street car park in the Village is a major blot on the landscape that should be converted into a high quality public space.
The contrast with developments in the City of Leicester are striking. Here whole areas of the city centre have been turned into public realm, given over to the movement of people on foot and cycling.
See http://www.uklandscapeaward.org/Entryfiles/1282044643statement.pdf
and https://www.leicester.gov.uk/media/179023/core-strategy-adopted-july-2014.pdf
Car Parking
The document admits that the city centre has in excess of 30,000 off road and 2,000 on-street parking spaces. This is a massive over supply of car parking in the city centre and with the impact of free parking on single yellow lines in the evening.
There needs to be a phased plan to halve the number of available parking spaces and increase charging to ensure that there is always space available for essential users.
Tackling Severance
A major problem for the city centre is severance caused by major roads. Most particularly the Mancunian Way is a major barrier for movement along with much of the inner ring road. The Mancunian Way should be declassified as soon as possible, removing its motorway status and putting a 30mph speed limit in place. The demolition of the Mancunian way would be a major step forward in regenerating the Corridor and surrounding areas.
Cycling
The provision for cycling in the City Centre is dreadful. Most direct routes involve getting off and walking. There needs to be a complete change of approach integrating cycling into the public realm and making all streets two way for cycling including those where traffic is excluded.
See how Leicester is achieving this:
http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/nov/26/lessons-from-leicester-the-uks-unlikely-new-poster-city-for-cycling
http://www.beta.leicester.gov.uk/media/67134/connecting-leicester-cycle-city.pdf
Sunday, 10 January 2016
Saturday, 9 January 2016
Irwell Towpath Closed in Ordsall
The floods over the holidays has done considerable damage to the Irwell Towpath in Ordsall. Opposite Pomona tram stop, next to Soapworks the path has been undermined, and much of this section was washed away. Further along the path also seems to be falling towards the river. The gate underneath the tram bridge has been locked shut, so this section is completely unusable and is unlikely to be repaired for many months, and possibly years.
This is in addition to the considerable amount of sand and silt that has been washed onto the lower parts of the path upstream.
So this leaves the many commuters who use this path looking for traffic free alternatives between Salford Quays and Manchester City Centre. You can cycle along Orsall Road, but I wouldn't recommend it.
There are two alternative traffic free routes, though both are unlit, so you need a good set of lights to negociate them at night. The route across Pomona is somewhat disconcerting in the dark, especially with the off-road motorbikes being ridden around, whilst the Bridgewater Canal Towpath is busier, making it feel safer, but you have to concentrate on the path surface to avoid ending up in the canal.
The nearest alternative is across Pomona. Go over the Green Bridge from Woden Street and then go through the gap in the fence on your right before the viaduct and along the muddy path. After a sharp drop the path turns into a wide gravel track.
Here you will be greeted by birdsong and the noise of the trams. Though the birds were quiet on Friday morning because of the presence of a kestrel hovering above the verge.
The track turns to tarmac in places, but watch out for some very deep potholes.
From the bridge over the lock between the Bridgewater Canal and the Irwell the route is then downhill to Pomona Tram Stop.
You then have to get onto the pavement to get through the gate.
From here you get a view of the damage to the towpath and see how it was undermined in the floods.
Then follow the road up to the roundabout by Throstle Nest bridge.
The other alternative route is through Castlefield Basin and along the Bridgewater Canal Towpath. This route has reopened as the remains of the collapsed building have now been removed from the path and the building has finally been demolished.
This is supposed to be an official Velocity Cycle route, but it is pretty poor. The cobbles are quite large and no attempt has been made to fill in the gaps, and on a small wheeled bike you could easilly catch your wheel in one of the gaps and find yourself being thrown into the canal.
There are also several steep bridges over the wharves, which will mean many people will have to get off & push.
The final bridge has a particularly poor surface.
Further along there is a very narrow bridge under a road, though thankfully there is now a handrail which makes it less scary.
And the open sections are covered in thick loose chippings, making it difficult to keep control of the bike, especially when passing cycles coming the other way as you end up on the thicker layers of gravel.
This route again brings you out at Throstle Nest Bridge.
From here there is another section of damage on the Trafford side of the towpath, though it hasn't been closed off yet.
Neither route is ideal, but both offer the chance to avoid the unpleasant experience of cycling on the roads and suffering the threats and abuse from passing motorists...
This is in addition to the considerable amount of sand and silt that has been washed onto the lower parts of the path upstream.
So this leaves the many commuters who use this path looking for traffic free alternatives between Salford Quays and Manchester City Centre. You can cycle along Orsall Road, but I wouldn't recommend it.
There are two alternative traffic free routes, though both are unlit, so you need a good set of lights to negociate them at night. The route across Pomona is somewhat disconcerting in the dark, especially with the off-road motorbikes being ridden around, whilst the Bridgewater Canal Towpath is busier, making it feel safer, but you have to concentrate on the path surface to avoid ending up in the canal.
The nearest alternative is across Pomona. Go over the Green Bridge from Woden Street and then go through the gap in the fence on your right before the viaduct and along the muddy path. After a sharp drop the path turns into a wide gravel track.
Here you will be greeted by birdsong and the noise of the trams. Though the birds were quiet on Friday morning because of the presence of a kestrel hovering above the verge.
The track turns to tarmac in places, but watch out for some very deep potholes.
From the bridge over the lock between the Bridgewater Canal and the Irwell the route is then downhill to Pomona Tram Stop.
You then have to get onto the pavement to get through the gate.
From here you get a view of the damage to the towpath and see how it was undermined in the floods.
Then follow the road up to the roundabout by Throstle Nest bridge.
The other alternative route is through Castlefield Basin and along the Bridgewater Canal Towpath. This route has reopened as the remains of the collapsed building have now been removed from the path and the building has finally been demolished.
This is supposed to be an official Velocity Cycle route, but it is pretty poor. The cobbles are quite large and no attempt has been made to fill in the gaps, and on a small wheeled bike you could easilly catch your wheel in one of the gaps and find yourself being thrown into the canal.
There are also several steep bridges over the wharves, which will mean many people will have to get off & push.
The final bridge has a particularly poor surface.
Further along there is a very narrow bridge under a road, though thankfully there is now a handrail which makes it less scary.
And the open sections are covered in thick loose chippings, making it difficult to keep control of the bike, especially when passing cycles coming the other way as you end up on the thicker layers of gravel.
This route again brings you out at Throstle Nest Bridge.
From here there is another section of damage on the Trafford side of the towpath, though it hasn't been closed off yet.
Neither route is ideal, but both offer the chance to avoid the unpleasant experience of cycling on the roads and suffering the threats and abuse from passing motorists...
Monday, 28 December 2015
December Christical Mass
This year Critical Mass fell on Christmas Day, but that didn't stop the ride. A few of us asked if others were interested and Hannah posted the ride on Facebook which meant the ride was on.
We gathered outside the library as usual,
with a good display of seasonal lights on some bikes.
Whilst the ride was small in number
the general lack of motor traffic meant this wasn't a problem.
However, despite it being Christmas Day the new contraflow cycle lanes in Chinatown were still blocked by taxis.
It was nice to ride along Deansgate with so few cars.
However, eventually the rain set in quite hard and the remaining riders went looking for somewhere open. I'd thought the Wharf would be open, but it had closed by 5pm.
It was great to get out on a bike on Christmas Day. Always a special day for cycling, and doubly so when it is Critical Mass.
We gathered outside the library as usual,
with a good display of seasonal lights on some bikes.
Whilst the ride was small in number
the general lack of motor traffic meant this wasn't a problem.
However, despite it being Christmas Day the new contraflow cycle lanes in Chinatown were still blocked by taxis.
It was nice to ride along Deansgate with so few cars.
However, eventually the rain set in quite hard and the remaining riders went looking for somewhere open. I'd thought the Wharf would be open, but it had closed by 5pm.
It was great to get out on a bike on Christmas Day. Always a special day for cycling, and doubly so when it is Critical Mass.
Sunday, 13 December 2015
Tyldesley Loopline consultation - 11th-18th December
Salford Council is proposing to improve the entire length of Tyldesley Loopline between Roe Green Loopline in Beesley Green and where it meets the new cycleway along the guided busway at Newearth Road.
This route is in desperate need of major works. It is pretty muddy in places after rain and has steep slopes and sharp turns. You can see more details in this post Tyldesley Loopline 2, Roe Green to Ellenbrook.
A public exhibition of the plans are on display at Beesley Green Community Centre from Friday 11th December to Friday 18th December and the council will be holding a drop in session there between 4pm and 6pm on Tuesday 15th December for anyone who would like more information or to discuss any particular issues. Assuming people support the proposals, the council intends to start the advanced tree works in January/February (outside of the bird nesting season) and then carry out the main works over the summer.
More information including the feasibility drawings and consultation boards are available at: http://www.salford.gov.uk/tyldesleyloopline.htm
Please support these proposals as they will make a major difference, joining together a number of good quality routes. If you are unable to attend in person contact Catriona Swanson catriona.swanson@salford.gov.uk to comment on the scheme.
This route is in desperate need of major works. It is pretty muddy in places after rain and has steep slopes and sharp turns. You can see more details in this post Tyldesley Loopline 2, Roe Green to Ellenbrook.
A public exhibition of the plans are on display at Beesley Green Community Centre from Friday 11th December to Friday 18th December and the council will be holding a drop in session there between 4pm and 6pm on Tuesday 15th December for anyone who would like more information or to discuss any particular issues. Assuming people support the proposals, the council intends to start the advanced tree works in January/February (outside of the bird nesting season) and then carry out the main works over the summer.
More information including the feasibility drawings and consultation boards are available at: http://www.salford.gov.uk/tyldesleyloopline.htm
Please support these proposals as they will make a major difference, joining together a number of good quality routes. If you are unable to attend in person contact Catriona Swanson catriona.swanson@salford.gov.uk to comment on the scheme.
Sunday, 6 December 2015
Corporation Street Part 2 - heading south...
Part 1 Northbound
Heading south there is a lonely ASL at the junction with Hanover Street. No sign of a feeder cycle lane here.
Next you cross the tram tracks, not too much of a problem here as the crossing is more or less at right angles.
Then a cycle lane appears by the Coop Bank. The lane markings are ambivalent, so not sure if it is supposed to be mandatory or not. It then gets somewhat stranger,
rising to pavement level, presumably to avoid the cost of re-positioning these access covers
returning to road level as the buses swing in from Port Street. From here the cycle lane is definitely advisory, so will be blocked by taxis much of the time.
Again we get these pointless green squares
and an ASL crossing the tram tracks.
As the buses swing left there is this floating cycle lane going straight on
and onto a paved section
which terminates in this idiotic manner.
This last piece of crap design has already been posted several times on Twitter by people angry at this design. It deserves to be posted many more times.
Heading south there is a lonely ASL at the junction with Hanover Street. No sign of a feeder cycle lane here.
Next you cross the tram tracks, not too much of a problem here as the crossing is more or less at right angles.
Then a cycle lane appears by the Coop Bank. The lane markings are ambivalent, so not sure if it is supposed to be mandatory or not. It then gets somewhat stranger,
rising to pavement level, presumably to avoid the cost of re-positioning these access covers
returning to road level as the buses swing in from Port Street. From here the cycle lane is definitely advisory, so will be blocked by taxis much of the time.
Again we get these pointless green squares
and an ASL crossing the tram tracks.
As the buses swing left there is this floating cycle lane going straight on
and onto a paved section
which terminates in this idiotic manner.
This last piece of crap design has already been posted several times on Twitter by people angry at this design. It deserves to be posted many more times.
Corporation St, Part 1 - heading north...
With the Exchange Square tram stop opening it's time to review the cycle provision along Corporation street to see if they made any improvements after a meeting held this time last year when we told Metrolink and several local councillors what we thought of their (anti-)cycling plans.
This is the view from Market Street - note the "Tram Only" and no entry signs...
This nasty kink in the kerb looks like the end of the cycle lane that was shown on the original plans.
From here you will be expected to cycle in the 1 metre gap between the kerb and rails,
and wait behind trams at the stop.
As you reach the junction there is this dreadful ASL, which is in any case not technically legal...
As you get alongside the Football Museum there is this advisory cycle lane with crap green squares and an ambulance standing by to deal with the consequences of the next section.
At the junction with Todd Street the cycle lane vanishes, but watch out for the buses that swing left into Todd Street,
and then we reach the most dangerous section. Here you are expected to cross tram lines at a very shallow angle with traffic coming up behind you.
The angle is bad on both tracks, so if the first set doesn't get you, the second one will.
Clearly TfGM/Metrolink couldn't care less...
Part 2 Southbound
This is the view from Market Street - note the "Tram Only" and no entry signs...
This nasty kink in the kerb looks like the end of the cycle lane that was shown on the original plans.
From here you will be expected to cycle in the 1 metre gap between the kerb and rails,
and wait behind trams at the stop.
As you reach the junction there is this dreadful ASL, which is in any case not technically legal...
As you get alongside the Football Museum there is this advisory cycle lane with crap green squares and an ambulance standing by to deal with the consequences of the next section.
At the junction with Todd Street the cycle lane vanishes, but watch out for the buses that swing left into Todd Street,
and then we reach the most dangerous section. Here you are expected to cross tram lines at a very shallow angle with traffic coming up behind you.
The angle is bad on both tracks, so if the first set doesn't get you, the second one will.
Clearly TfGM/Metrolink couldn't care less...
Part 2 Southbound
Wednesday, 2 December 2015
Manchester Cycle Forum, 8/12/15
The next Manchester Cycle Forum will take place on 8th December 2015 at 17:15 – 19:15 in Committee Room 4 at the Town Hall.
Agenda
* Welcome and Introductions
* Minutes and matters arising from previous meetings
* Feedback from Consultative Cycle Reference Group
* Enforcement
* Cycle Training and Campaigns
* CCTS
* Infrastructure Update
* Report from Cycling Groups / Partner Organisations
* Any Other Business
Agenda
* Welcome and Introductions
* Minutes and matters arising from previous meetings
* Feedback from Consultative Cycle Reference Group
* Enforcement
* Cycle Training and Campaigns
* CCTS
* Infrastructure Update
* Report from Cycling Groups / Partner Organisations
* Any Other Business
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