The busy street was pedestrianised earlier this year.
Following its partial pedestrianisation earlier this year, the Council has revealed brand new images which show what Deansgate could look like in the near future.
Partially closing off to traffic back in May to allow for social distancing within the city, it’s now been proposed to ‘formalise the current trial’ – which would see the street transformed to make it more ‘attractive’ to pedestrians.
The images were released as part of Manchester City Council’s City Centre Transport Strategy 2020, which plans to make walking the most predominant form of travelling around the city in a bid to reach its carbon-free by 2038 target. The ambitious project will work alongside Salford City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester, working to find new ways of improving the city’s public transport network and reducing the number of cars travelling into the city significantly.
The strategy outlines the local authorities aim for 90% of all trips into the city to made by walking, cycling or by using public transport – a goal they hope to reach in the next twenty years.
Both Deansgate and Whitworth Street are currently earmarked for improvements, with plans currently underway to make them more pedestrian-friendly.
Manchester City Council says of the project: “Accordingly, we want to create high quality public realm by giving more space to pedestrians and also improving the junctions to make it easier for people to cross the road.
“At the same time, we want to retain people’s ability to move to move along this street, particularly on foot and by bike, encouraging general traffic to use alternative routes, such as the MSIRR.”
Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport and Councillor Angeliki Stogia adds: “As Manchester continues on the road to recovery from the pandemic and plans for growing numbers of city centre jobs and homes, more than ever, a strategy is required to guide the future of transport in the region’s capital.
“This ambitious strategy envisions a well-connected, zero-carbon city centre at the heart of the North, offering residents, workers and visitors a great place to live, work and visit.
Continuing: “It reflects the thousands of voices – including residents, commuters, and business and interest groups – who’ve contributed to years of discussion and consultation about how they want to travel into and around the city centre.
“What’s emerged is a strategy that reflects the strongest calls – for more and better space for pedestrians and bikes, more sustainable travel options that keep the air clean and cut carbon, less congestion, improvements in public transport, parking and deliveries that don’t choke our streets and air, plus smart use of new technology to help make all of this happen.”
Consultations with residents have already commenced, and you can have your say on the matter here.
[Featured image: Manchester City Council]