New plans to improve travel along the busy bus corridor of Oxford Road in Manchester have been unveiled, with a major bus priority corridor featuring Greater Manchester’s first ever Dutch-style cycle lanes.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City Council have developed the plans for Oxford Road, which go hand-in-hand with recently advertised bus priority changes for the city centre.
The scheme – which will limit general traffic along sections of Oxford Road and include over 4km (2.5 miles) of segregated bus lanes – is part of a wider bus priority package which TfGM expects to significantly improve the quality, punctuality and reliability of bus services on 25 miles of key routes in Greater Manchester.
The updated plans for Oxford Road have been announced as road-widening, resurfacing and junction improvement work comes to an end this week on parallel Upper Brook Street.
Over 500 people gave feedback on the Oxford Road proposals during a major consultation that has helped shaped the scheme, alongside continuing discussions with stakeholders and properties fronting the route.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chairman of the TfGM Committee, said: “This is an exciting scheme that will revolutionise sustainable travel along one of the busiest routes into Manchester city centre, with better access to the universities, healthcare and businesses along the route.
“As well as speeding up bus journey times and improving cycling, pedestrians using Oxford Road will benefit from wider footpaths and safer crossing points along the route.
“The plans have been shaped by input from local businesses, organisations and residents and balance the needs of all road users. Ultimately, the bus priority package will create a better environment and future for everyone who works in, lives in or visits our city.”
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is part of a major investment in our infrastructure that will help us make travel greener and more sustainable while also providing huge benefits for the city’s economy.
“These are exciting plans which will transform public transport in Manchester, making bus journeys quicker and more reliable, while also introducing Dutch-style cycling lanes which will provide huge improvements for cyclists on one of the country’s busiest bike routes.”
INFO
More information and a virtual tour along Oxford Road on a new 3D fly-through video can be found at www.tfgm.com/buspriority
