About the consultation
This consultation closed on Friday 1 September 2023
Background:
We approved the public realm strategy for Ancoats Phase 3 in 2022 after public consultation. Its purpose is to deliver the infrastructure to create a sustainable urban neighbourhood, and identifies some key interventions that are needed to respond to the outcomes of that consultation, and to support the delivery of a neighbourhood that will continue to attract a diverse population to the area.
Over 1000 people had their say, and one of the key concerns was the need to reduce 'rat-running' in the area. Respondents also told us they wanted the area to be more pedestrianised and to encourage more active travel (cycling and walking).
With up to 1,500 new homes currently being built, one of the main aims of this project is to remove traffic from the local streets. That will reduce the rat-running, making the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and a more pleasant place to spend time.
How we'll achieve this:
The first step is to make changes to the way that traffic moves, and we’re doing this through an ‘experimental traffic order’. This will let us adapt it as we go along if anything isn’t working. The proposed measures for the area include:
- making some roads one way
- installing filters that allow pedestrians and cycles to pass through, but not cars
- creating cycle routes which link up to others
- maintaining cycle access
- improving crossings.
The changes will support the Ancoats mobility hub, which aims to remove traffic from the area, especially vehicles which are cutting through to get to the city centre. This will create:
- an attractive, sustainable building which will provide central car parking for residents and their visitors
- a delivery hub for parcels
- cycle hub and associated facilities
- charging for electric vehicles, along with other benefits
- public realm and routes that connect Poland Street to Ancoats Green and Miles Platting
These changes should help traffic to flow through the area, create clearer routes through it, and make people on foot or wheels a priority.
As the project progresses, it will also present opportunities for some existing green spaces to be improved, introduce new planting and trees into streets, and also create walking and cycling routes in the historic canal area.