After residents voiced ‘significant criticism’ of a scheme that would create cycle lanes on Liverpool Road, the council have not approved plans to continue with the development. 

This scheme would have allocated one lane of traffic to a shared footpath and cycle lane, in order to incentivise less of a reliance on cars. 

Most residents in Peel Green and Higher Irlam opposed this proposal. Residents made it clear that they were not opposed to active travel more widely, but believed that a cycle lane on this road was ineffective and would only create further traffic. 

One resident, Francis Henry, who is a chair of a community group that represents the wards affected outlined the problems of the proposed scheme. 

Removing a lane for traffic would lead to more congestion and create ‘catastrophic delays and misery’ for residents, Francis explained. 

She said that future projects must ‘have the community at heart’. 

Liverpool Road, part of the A57, is an arterial east-west route between Liverpool, Manchester and Hull, she said. 

Concerns have also been raised about increasing travel time for emergency services, as the road is the main through-line into Peel Green and Higher Irlam. 

In 2022, a four week trial was undertaken where the third lane of traffic was removed. Surveys were carried out and found an increase in travel time of thirty seconds. 

However, Cllr Nelson outlined how the survey’s road parameters were not big enough to capture true delays residents were experiencing. 

Cllr Nelson claimed that, at peak times, commuters were actually experiencing up to 45 minute delays.

He commended the council for ‘being responsive to the significant criticism over lack of engagement and community voice’ in the last trial for this scheme. 

He said, “I want Salford city council to work with local residents and not against them”.

The council had carried out a consultation over the proposed traffic lane closure. 95% of responses to a survey about the plan had a negative sentiment .

Hayley Savvides, who has been encouraging residents to share their thoughts in the council’s consultation, said: “When the road fails the entire area feels it”.

She said that, what should be short journeys, became ‘unpredictable’ during the last trial for this scheme. 

Concerns over the number of HGVs using the road, causing pollution and noise for residents living nearby, was also brought up by those speaking at the meeting.

A petition had been started opposing the scheme when it was first announced, gaining around 2000 signatures as a result. 

The local MP for the area, Michael Wheeler, welcomed the recommendation by Council’s Deputy Chief Executive to not approve the plan. 

At a council meeting for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development on the 11th of March, a decision was made to follow the recommendation and not go ahead with the scheme.

Main image credit: Salford City Council