Manchester City Council has revealed plans for one of south Manchester’s busiest junctions to undergo works to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. In 2022, the junction of Wilmslow Road with Ladybarn Road and Sherwood Street in Fallowfield was identified as an area that would greatly benefit from upgraded infrastructure.
Why does the junction of Wilmslow Road with Ladybarn Road and Sherwood Street need improving?
As a major north-south route into Manchester, as well as an important east-west route which cuts through the city’s southern neighbourhoods, this junction sees a vast amount of road, cyclist and foot traffic every day. However, because of this, the council says there are serious concerns around safety when it comes to this stretch of road. In five years, between 2018 and 2023, there were 15 collisions at this junction, two of which were classified as serious.
Plans for one of south Manchester’s busiest junctions
Under plans which have now been announced by Manchester City Council, the Wilmslow Road junction is set to be partially redesigned. The plans will include several new and safer crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians, creating a more seamless route along the current cycling lanes, and general improvements to the junction layout.
Some of the changes include:
- Three dedicated crossing points for pedestrians at the junction
- New crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians
- Prohibition of driving (except for cyclists) on Sherwood Street, between Wilmslow Road and Bowland Drive
- Relocation of the loading bay on Ladybarn Road
- Rumble strips for cyclists at pedestrian crossing points
- Improved signage and road markings
A full rundown of the changes being made can be found here.
When will work on the Wilmslow Road junction start, and how long will it take to complete?
Work is due to begin at this junction from Monday, May 18 and will run until January 2027.
The work is set to be carried out in four phases, with the first phase of these works comprising of the removal of street furniture, kerbs and tarmac as well as upgrades to the drainage and road markings.
“This junction in particular sees a high volume of traffic… so it was clear that improvements were required”
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport, said: “Time and again, when speaking with residents, they tell us that our road network needs to be safer and they want it easier to get around their neighbourhoods.
“This junction in particular sees a high volume of traffic – from cars, cyclists and pedestrians – so it was clear that improvements were required following our engagement with local residents.
“As has been the case with other schemes like this in Manchester, safety remains our number one priority. We have long said that we want Manchester to be a city where people can walk and cycle around in safety. By upgrading this junction and improving its crossing points we are taking another step towards that goal.”