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One of the key elements of the “Vision” for Central Salford is the
reduction of traffic along the A6 on both the Crescent and Chapel
Street through provision of enhanced bus priority (such as the Leigh-
Salford-Manchester Busway) and traffic calming measures which will
in combination reduce traffic capacity along these roads so that they
can regain their place as the ‘Heart of Salford’ once again. However the
A6 currently carries some of the highest traffic flows into the Regional
Centre from the west the Strategy therefore proposes to improve the
traffic capacity on the parallel corridors of Regent Road and Liverpool
Street, as described above, and although these corridors are also
heavily trafficked at the present time, it is envisaged that relatively
modest improvements will enable traffic to flow more efficiently.
Regent Road in particular suffers from long queues which can
sometimes stretch as far back as the M602, which causes ‘rat running’
through the residential districts of Ordsall. Studies show that the
present road capacity is limited to 1300 vehicles per hour towards
Manchester and 1900 vehicles outbound. Traffic modelling suggests,
however, that with some simple refinements a 40% increase in inbound
traffic and, a 10% increase in outbound traffic should be achievable.
So far, they have replaced *one* set of signals at Oldfield Rd/Regent Rd junction. I think it's improved matters for traffic trying to get *across* Regent Rd, but they have also made it no-right-turn on the North->East direction. This pushes some traffic (including me) onto Ordsall Ln to head east, and at peak times, the queue to do so can take 5-6 cycles of the lights to get through! It's quicker to go straight across & turn around in Sainsburys!
Bryn666 wrote:I dare say also it might benefit from a 30mph speed limit (awaits mushroom cloud to eminate from Stockport).
Nicholas wrote: The introduction of a 20 mph speed limit along The Crescent reinforced by the use of a combination of driver information signs and traffic calming measures
Oh joy
“The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.” – Robert A. Heinlein
Bryn666 wrote:30 would be reasonable, 20 is really a ****-take.
I did notice that the 20 limit on Upper Thames Street seems to have vanished, so clearly such low limits on urban dual carriageways don't work.
Well, a dual carriageway with central railings, intermittent pavements and buildings over the top of it hardly "feels" like a 20 limit. It still shouts "major traffic artery" rather than "Soho back street where you would be very stupid to exceed 20".
And given the A6 is a major traffic artery, it defies belief they want to make it a 20 limit. I don't object to environmental improvements, but unless the A5063 and A57 are massively sorted out, this will be a recipe for disaster as a 30% traffic reduction in Salford sounds very pipe dreamish.
Bryn Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already. She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
The Crescent dualling (excluding the grade separation of the link to Albion Way) was before the rest of the A6 upgrade. 1963 sounds about right.
Yesterday, while adding some history to the A556 Wiki page, I coined the name "tangent-about" for the sort of junction that existed between the A56 and A556 at Bowdon before the M56 was built. If I remember correctly there was one of those at the A6/Cross Lane junction before Albion Way was built.
I attempted to cross Broad Street near Frederick Road this morning as a pedestrian. The footbridge is currently closed (I presume it is to be dismantled?)...
It's easy to see why Salford are doing these works. What a horrible experience to walk along there.
In fact, for a 'city centre' the whole area is abysmal. I hope they can really sort it out in the next few years as it's a totally embarrassing gateway to any major city.
Bryn Terminally cynical, unimpressed, and nearly Middle Age already. She said life was like a motorway; dull, grey, and long.
Bryn666 wrote:In fact, for a 'city centre' the whole area is abysmal. I hope they can really sort it out in the next few years as it's a totally embarrassing gateway to any major city.
Bryn666 wrote:I attempted to cross Broad Street near Frederick Road this morning as a pedestrian. The footbridge is currently closed (I presume it is to be dismantled?)...
It was closed so it could be repaired. The temporary closure order expires a week today - they had better get a move on!!
Bryn666 wrote:I dare say also it might benefit from a 30mph speed limit (awaits mushroom cloud to eminate from Stockport).
Nicholas wrote: The introduction of a 20 mph speed limit along The Crescent reinforced by the use of a combination of driver information signs and traffic calming measures
Oh joy
Mate, I'll be ecstatic if we can get close to 20mph down that road on my way home from work. It must be one of the busiest roads in and out of Manchester and for someone to decide to cut a lane out of it is absolutely ridiculous. I think it's a disgrace that they're doing this. It seems that there's been hardly any mention of it or consultation over it either. As a result I don't think people realise what's going on and that the lanes are actually going to be reduced permanently. I assumed that the roadworks were temporary but when I saw that they were extending the path permanently I was mortified. I just don't see how it's reasonable to effectively block off an already very busy road. The knock on effect of traffic around that area is going to be dreadful
Bryn666 wrote:It's easy to see why Salford are doing these works. What a horrible experience to walk along there.
In fact, for a 'city centre' the whole area is abysmal. I hope they can really sort it out in the next few years as it's a totally embarrassing gateway to any major city.
I agree that it's awful but remain to be convinced that a goliath footpath and a a few trees is the solution to this problem.
One of the organisations behind this scheme, Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company, is being wound up after funding has been pulled. Salford council insist the project will go ahead as planned. (It had better, the road is currently a sea of cones and workmen!)
Not sure how this interviewee would have expected to be told; there are a LOT of people outside Salford; how do we know which ones to talk to?
Rachel Kirkham, from Bolton, who regularly uses the route to get to work, said: “It’s crazy. If these appalling plans are completed there will be chaos on this road.
“Salford residents have been told about this but road-users from outside Salford, such as myself who have to use it to get to work, have not been informed or asked our views.
Re-think urged. The idiots are starting to realise that shutting one of the busiest roads in and out of Manchester down to one lane might actually not be very practical:
The introduction of a 20 mph speed limit along The Crescent reinforced by the use of a combination of driver information signs and traffic calming measures
