Do you work or shop in Central Manchester? Visit Manchester to meet up with friends and family? Do you prefer to go there for the cinema, concerts, resturants and pubs?

However you travel to Manchester - or indeed choose not to visit the the centre as it's so busy and dominated by vehicular traffic - the recent announcement by Manchester City Council about changes to Deansgate and Whitworth Street West will be welcomed by many...

Manchester City Council's website describes the changes already made and planned to be made as follows:-

" We're transforming the city centre into a cleaner, safer, and more attractive area. We aim for 90% of peak morning trips to the city centre to be by foot, bike, or public transport. This is part of the City Centre Transport Strategy."

"Our ambitious plans focus on active travel, public space, and public transport. Deansgate will evolve from a traditional vehicle route to a vibrant place to visit and enjoy.

Recent Improvements

The walking and cycling upgrades on Deansgate and Whitworth Street West are now done. This makes it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists. Key changes include:

• Increased footway space for pedestrians.
• Segregated cycle lanes with green surfacing at junctions.
• Loading bays on both sides of Deansgate (south of Quay Street) and the west side of Deansgate (between St John Street and Camp Street).
• More Blue Badge parking on the west side of Deansgate (between Camp Street and Tonman Street).
• Improved junction for pedestrians and cyclists at Deansgate and Liverpool Road.
• Larger buildout between Great Jackson Street and Old Deansgate on Chester Road, with a puffin crossing and a zebra crossing at the cycle tracks.
• Modified junction at Great Jackson Street and Chester Road to slow down vehicles, with a zebra crossing and Belisha beacons.
• Rain Garden sustainable urban drainage systems on Whitworth Street West, Old Deansgate, and Chester Road to capture and filter excess surface water.
• More space for taxis.
• New cycle lanes on Whitworth Street West, merging into existing lanes"

Click here to access the above and more about the developments on the Council's website 

Click here for a map of the developments on the Council's website