Phase three results - including Workshop B
In this phase and during Workshop B the focus is creating a collaborative design for safer streets. The designs from the workshop will shape the layout of the final recommended design. It will then be up to the local council to trial and review the design before it is made permanent.
Workshop B results: July 27
In Workshop A we looked at the wider road network across Withington and classified roads as either ‘strategic roads’, ‘locally strategic roads’ or ‘residential streets’. This was done to understand where through traffic needs to be addressed (on residential streets) and what roads should form the boundary of the project area (strategic roads). The following roads were identified as the boundary roads in Workshop A: Mauldeth Road, Parrs Wood Road, Wilmslow Road and Fog Lane.
We will be looking at the wider area bounded by these roads to consider design solutions. This project will focus on the smaller area that we consulted on initially (as shown on the maps below). Beyond this area, there is currently no additional funding, however, it is important at this stage for Manchester City Council to understand where design solutions are needed so that they can be part of funding plans for future projects.
In workshop B, we introduced a toolkit of design solutions such as modal filters and one-way streets that can stop through motorised traffic but still allow access to all properties to residents, visitors, emergency vehicles and refuse collection. We then introduced design solutions that can create a sense of “place” such as greening, street art, street furniture, cycle parking, footpath and footway improvements, lighting, school streets and crossings. Each design solution was given a cost from £ to ££££ so that the comparative costs of each design solution could be compared.
We then looked at the key principles for placing modal filter design solutions, including; preventing “leakage” (leaving open alternative routes for through-traffic), minimising the number of modal filters (for simplicity and cost-effectiveness), placing filters towards the middle of a length of road (to allow easier access), ensuring refuse vehicles have access and acceptable reversing distances and placing modal filters where they provide the most community benefits.
There were two breakout sessions. In the first, we placed modal filters and one-way streets only to prevent through traffic, on the map of your area defined in workshop A. In the second breakout session, the other design solutions (such as greening, street art, footway improvements, etc.) were placed on the same maps, where people thought they would be ideally suited to create a more attractive and enjoyable neighbourhood. After each breakout session, the groups shared their plans.
The key points of discussion in the workshops were:
- Understanding how modal filters can reduce the speed of traffic & discussing chicanes as an alternative for speeding traffic (although these may not prevent through traffic)
- Parsonage Road – filters needed as this street is the main rat run west-east, & the traffic speeds towards the eastern end
- Alan Road is useful for cycling north/south
- Problems with speed in the area rather than volume of traffic
- Poor quality of surfacing along the length of Parsonage Road
- Concern regarding access for the emergency services and refuse collection if modal filters added
- Support for creating public space- Pocket parks were suggested in several locations although there was concern about a large number of trees in the area already. Other kinds of greening could be used such as Incredible Edible.
- Participants asked, “What is Greening for?”. It is for better street environment, climate change
- Crossings are needed on Parrs Wood Road and Parsonage road and could help slow traffic
- Issues around pavement parking, although adding bollards to stop parking may restrict access on pavements
- Street art - Withington Walls is very successful but still potential for further street art on pavements/coloured crossings
- Wide junctions were identified at several locations and also the potential to narrow junctions in the areas with a more modern layout
- Potential for school streets