Parking restrictions for Manchester Old Road

A traffic regulation order for a road in Middleton has been approved.

A section of Manchester Old Road, between Heywood Old Road and Broad Street was identified as a site of concern following a review of accident data. Due to a high number of personal injury accidents, it was chosen as a site requiring treatment. It carries an average of over 15,000 vehicles per day.

New parking restrictions not requiring a traffic order have already been introduced, such as new warning signs, coloured surfacing, cycle lanes, central hatched areas, bollards and pedestrian guard rail.

Four key locations have been identified for the introduction of new restrictions.

On the westbound approach to the signals at Heywood Old Road the road is wide enough to accommodate two traffic lanes, which are marked on site. However, existing restrictions on the south side of the road do not extend to the point where the two lanes are formed. Therefore, parked vehicles in this location prevent motorists from queueing for the full length of the two lane approach.

Existing restrictions on the south side of Manchester Old Road at the junction of Lands End Road extend to a point 15 metres on each side. A parking lay-by is situated at a point 32 metres east of the junction. It is proposed to extend the restrictions up to the lay-by to increase visibility at the junction and to accommodate a proposed cycle lane. This will increase visibility further for motorists exiting the side road and prevent parked vehicles from obstructing the cycle lane.

On the south side between Egerton Street and Bonny Brow Street it is proposed to replace the existing daytime restrictions with 24 hour restrictions. Parking is permitted between 6.30pm and 7.30am but as parking is unrestricted on the north side, vehicles parked during these times results in a double parking arrangement, affecting the flow of traffic and presenting a hazard.

The proposed restrictions were advertised between 9 and 30 March 2017.

During the consultation period, the council received eight objections, focusing on restrictions opposite Boothroyden Road, and a petition against the proposal.

The objections were presented before the Middleton Township Committee in June 2017. A decision was deferred pending further consultation with highway officers. Councillors visited the site themselves and decided that no additional parking restrictions should be introduced and that the proposal to move the centre line between Egerton Street and Bonny Brow should be removed.

This decision was approved at Middleton Township when the report was resubmitted in August 2017 and referred to Cabinet for a final decision.

Funding for the route safety scheme has been provided by Transport for Greater Manchester.