OXFORD Road looks set for a transformation.
Transport bosses have unveiled further plans for travel along Oxford Road, with the introduction of a 'major bus priority corridor' and 'Dutch-style' cycle lanes.
“This is an exciting scheme that will revolutionise sustainable travel along one of the busiest routes into Manchester city centre."
The scheme will include 4km of segregated bus lanes and limit general traffic (between 6am and 9pm, seven days a week) along sections of Oxford Road to only buses, Hackney (black) cabs, emergency vehicles and bicycles.
The updated plans for Oxford Road have been announced as improvements come to an end on the parallel Upper Brook Street, which will continue to carry regular traffic to and from the city centre.
Before any changes can be made to Oxford Road, Princess Street will become two-way between the Mancunian Way and Major Street to provide a direct route into and out of the city centre for all road users.
Take a virtual journey and see the changes:
After the original Oxford Road proposal last year over 900 people gave feedback on the scheme, which were taken into account alongside discussions with stakeholders and properties fronting the route. Key changes include:
- Opening up Oxford Road to general traffic overnight from 9pm until 6am, seven days a week. Outside these hours sections of Oxford Road will be available for use by buses, taxis (hackney cabs), emergency vehicles and cycles only.
- Extensions to the ‘Dutch-style’ cycle lanes at two key locations along Oxford Road – alongside Whitworth Park and at the University Precinct opposite the Kilburn building.
- Providing zebra crossing points at all bus stops where there are Dutch-style cycle lanes so that pedestrians can cross the cycle lanes safely.
- Introducing service loops along Oxford Road to ensure that key facilities such as the hospitals, the universities and other businesses have the access they need.
- Removing the proposed bus lane on Booth Street West in order to maintain two lanes for general traffic crossing Oxford Road.
Oxford Road, Moss Lane East
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester 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.
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.”
More information about the bus priority package is available at www.tfgm.com/buspriority
