'Deansgate is just a much nicer place to be now, it is quieter, it's calmer'

A commuter has leapt to the defence of the Deansgate cycle lane saying he already feels much safer navigating the streets of the city centre.

James Turner says he believes the controversial scheme is an 'investment in the future' and will soon become 'invaluable.' Since the start of the pandemic, bike lanes have been put in place on the throughfare in an effort to promote walking and cycling in town.

Temporary lanes were later replaced by ‘interim’ measures in 2022, which saw the introduction of the black-and-white bollards which are officially called ‘wand orcas’.

There is now a cycle lane on one side the length of the road with work to finish the final stretch ongoing and due to be completed in the Spring.

That stretch, from Quay Street to Beetham Tower, is not yet open but traffic is already down to one southbound lane, with temporary lights currently in place at the end of Deansgate.

Over Christmas, visitors and businesses complained that the measures were resulting in traffic chaos, with long queues stretching down the road during evening rush hour and at weekends.

Those complaints have continued this week as work began on the next part of the scheme at the bottom end of Deansgate. It involves a lane closure of the A56 near the Bridgewater Viaduct.

However a regular user of the parts of the lane already in operation has spoken out, saying the route is 'much needed', is already well used, and will be even more popular once it is completed and part of an integrated cycling route.

James, 26, lives in south Manchester. He doesn't own a car and instead travels into the city centre by bike several times a week for work and social activities.

"I come in via the Oxford Road cycle lane" he said. "But I also volunteer in