Manchester plans to introduce a 20mph speed limit in residential areas and 30mph on main roads to enhance road safety
The council’s plan also includes reducing the speed limit on main roads to 30mph. This means that the Mancunian Way will officially be a 30mph road after a temporary reduction last year.
They’re also cutting the speed limit on eight roads that are currently at 40mph, like the A34 Kingsway and A663 Broadway. It’s all about making the roads safer.
Kevin Gillham, who heads the city’s highways, mentioned that they’re not planning a blanket 20mph limit everywhere. They want to focus on residential areas that really need it.
He acknowledged that enforcing a 20mph limit can be tricky, but they hope to see an overall reduction in speeds. The next steps for this plan will be announced soon.
These changes come after a worrying rise in serious accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists in Manchester since the pandemic. In 2023, the number of pedestrian accidents rose significantly, and the number of cyclists involved in accidents more than doubled.
To tackle this, the council is also looking to upgrade speed cameras and expand areas where they monitor traffic violations. It’s all part of a broader strategy to keep everyone safer on the roads.
