Ancoats Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) 6-month trial
The ongoing regeneration of Ancoats has been a success that has taken over 20 years to accomplish. In March 2022, following a period of extensive public consultation, the City Council Executive endorsed the Ancoats Phase 3 Public Realm strategy. This document set out a range of public interventions that would create cleaner, green streets and spaces that would prioritise pedestrians and cyclists over vehicular traffic, reduce rat running and fly parking and create the conditions for the delivery of a new neighbourhood of up to 1500 new homes by 2030. A new movement strategy is at the heart of these agreed plans and include the Ancoats Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) introduced in January 2024 and Streets for All improvements to Oldham Road started in May 2024. Work is progressing at Ancoats Green and Ancoats Mobility Hub.
Changes to Ancoats ETRO
Developments are underway at Rodney Street, Jersey Wharf and Eliza Yard and Pheonix Iron Works to provide much needed homes.
The trial scheme designed to make Ancoats Streets quieter and safer was installed in January 2024.
We made changes to the way that traffic moves through an ‘experimental road traffic order’. This means that it’s a live trial and lets us adapt it as we go along if anything isn’t working.
Feedback channels (on our website and via email) have been gathering information from residents and businesses since the measures were installed. The roads where the measures received the most negative feedback / complaints were Henry Street (about traffic being displaced onto Gun Street and Cotton Street, from residents and businesses), Jersey Street /Redhill Street (from residents) and Radium Street (from businesses).
As a result of this feedback, we have looked at other possible traffic flows, and modelled these to see how they would work with the rest of the scheme. We believe they could address the issues raised whilst still ensuring the route isn't used as a cut through, and so we are going ahead with making several changes.
These are:
- Removal of the filter on Henry Street
- Cotton Street to be one way from George Leigh Street to Blossom Street to help reduce conflict between vehicles travelling in opposite directions
- Henry Street to be one way from George Leigh Street to Blossom Street, again to reduce conflict between vehicles on narrow carriageways
- Blossom Street to be one way from Cotton Street to Great Ancoats Street
- Removal of the filter on Radium Street
- Radium Street to be one way southbound from Naval Street to Jersey Street, to allow access from Radium Street for Block 23 businesses
- A section of Radium Street to be made 2 way, from George Leigh Street to the entrance of the industrial estate, to allow access from George Leigh Street to businesses on the estate.
The changes above are to be put in place on 24 June. Warning signs advising drivers of the changes will be in place beforehand. As well as this mailing to local addresses, social media and neighbourhood channels will be used to let people know about the new traffic flows.
Please continue to let us know using the link below or by email to ancoats@manchester.gov.uk how the scheme is working for you.
Download the map of the proposed changes
Start of work on junction improvements at Oldham Road
From Monday 13 May work will start on improvements to cycleways, pedestrian crossings, carriageways, footpaths, and traffic signals at the junction of Oldham Road with Poland Street and Radium Street which will include carriageway re-surfacing and painting new road markings. There will be some disruption to footways, but pedestrian and emergency vehicle access will be always maintained.
Addresses close to where the work will be happening will receive a letter with more detail, hours when works will be happening etc. Our contractor will do everything they can to minimise the disruption and noise from the works.
Whilst we understand the planned improvements are disruptive to residents in the shorter term, the proposals will deliver the overall vision for improved walking and cycling, high-quality green spaces, and improved play facilities and connections to surrounding areas to support and encourage more active travel as a first choice for residents.