Middleton bus lane plan scrapped

Plans to introduce a bus lane on Manchester New Road, Middleton, were scrapped at a Rochdale Borough Council Cabinet meeting held tonight (Monday 13 September 2010).

The bus lane proposals form part of a bid between Rochdale Council, GMPTE, Manchester City Council and Salford Council to improve transport connections along the busiest roads to Manchester.

The plans were referred to the Council Cabinet by Middleton Township Committee as they felt a bus lane to be unnecessary for numerous reasons.

Councillor Teresa Fitzsimons raised concerns at the Cabinet meeting about the introduction of the bus lane, her worries related to accidents and time of day, and she said that residents in the area do not want a bus lane.

Nine objections were received by the council on the matter. The area earmarked for the bus lane is currently marked out as cycle lanes and parking bays and the lane would have inevitability meant a loss of parking in the area.

Councillor Terry Linden echoed these thoughts when he said: “We want you to object this.

“There is no need for it and we don’t want it.”

Councillor Michael Holly added: “It strikes me that even though I think we don’t need the lane, even if it was justified this is the wrong time for it to be put in place.”

Councillor Keith Swift, a frequent user of the road in question feels the problems are on the Manchester side of the boundary, he said: “I do not see a need for this bus lane at all. The problem is on the Manchester side of the boundary and until access on the Manchester side is improved we will still have queuing – the City of Manchester needs to get their act together before they implement this.”

Councillor Liz Thirsk, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport recommended that the plans were scrapped.