Eight Manchester Roads Set for Speed Limit Reduction to 30mph

Manchester: The city is making some changes to speed limits on eight roads, bringing them down to 30mph. This is part of a new plan by the council to improve safety for everyone, especially pedestrians and cyclists.

The decision comes after a noticeable rise in accidents. Kevin Gillham, who heads the citywide highways, mentioned that they want main roads at 30mph and residential areas at 20mph. They’ve already started making these changes, with some roads already updated.

To help everyone adjust, there will be temporary signs reminding drivers of the new limits. The police will also be keeping an eye on things to ensure everyone follows the new rules.

The roads affected include World Way near the airport, Middleton Road by Heaton Park, and several others. The council is responding to a troubling increase in accidents since the pandemic, with pedestrian and cyclist incidents rising sharply.

In 2019, there were 58 pedestrian accidents, and that number jumped to 77 in 2023. Cyclist accidents more than doubled, showing a clear need for these changes. The council is also looking at upgrading speed cameras to help enforce these new limits better.