New rules announced for Deansgate to reduce traffic in car-free push

More measures are being taken to reduce the amount of cars on Deansgate, the council has announced. It’s part of a push to have nine in ten city centre journeys car-free by 2040.

The new rules are ‘interim’, the authority has said, replacing the ‘temporary’ scheme on the thoroughfare which has been in place since the start of the pandemic. The council says support for reducing cars remains strong, and is keen to capitalise on this.

Part of the scheme will see the removal of the high-vis 'wands’, which have marked out cycling paths, to be replaced with more permanent infrastructure. Other measures are designed to keep access open to public transport.

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Transport bosses at the council say they represent a ‘positive step’. Coun Tracey Rawlins, executive member for environment and transport, said: “The Council has a long-standing vision for the future of Deansgate and these latest measures are a positive step towards that.

“With the right changes we want to encourage more people to walk, cycle or use public transport in Manchester and by focusing on one of the most heavily used streets in the city we believe that our ambition is on clear display.”

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The main features will include:

Bus gate and Deansgate one-way southbound between Blackfriars and King Street – buses and taxis only. Segregated cycle facilities included.

Traffic one way southbound between King Street west and Quay Street.

Bridge Street westbound bus gate, located west of Gartside Street (eastbound traffic unaffected).

Existing access will remain across Deansgate at St Ann Street, King Street and Bridge