Following an announcement made earlier this year a date has been set for one lane of Stevenson Square being reopened for bus traffic.
From December 30 the south-west lane connecting Lever Street and Spear Street will be open to buses and Hackney Carriages. As a trial, Blue Badge holders will also be allowed through access.
Vehicles stopping in this section of the road will not be permitted and is only intended for through traffic. Enforcement will be in place to ensure no other vehicles access this street, with the risk of penalty charge notices in place for any breaches.
Click here for a web link on where more information on these changes can be found.
Work will take place in the coming weeks to dismantle the existing bus stop on the road, as well as additional infrastructure being put in place, such as double yellow lines, to prevent parking or loading.
The partial reopening of the square to allow bus access means the vast majority of the square will remain closed to traffic and pedestrianised.
Work will continue to implement walking and cycle-friendly changes to the remainder of the square which will include a two-way cycle lane through the Square, new pedestrian and cyclist crossings at the junction of Oldham Street/Hilton Street, and Newton Street/Hilton Street, as well as widened footpaths giving over more space for pedestrians.
The legal process to support this change of use of the highway is now under way, with the public encouraged to raise any concerns by emailing nqwalkingcycling@manchester.gov.uk.
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment and Transport said: “We have always sought to balance the needs of everyone in Manchester, whether that is cyclists and pedestrians or those who need to use public transport.
“This compromise will ensure the vast majority of space in Stevenson Square will remain for pedestrians and cyclists whilst making part of the road available for public transport.
“I hope this will set the tone for how we can create integrated neighbourhoods which prioritise active travel and help the Council work towards its aim of becoming zero carbon by 2038.”