Manchester has a new cycle path - but not everyone is a fan 🚴♂️
A recently completed cycling scheme in the Northern Quarter has been branded 'absurd' as concrete blocks and cars blight the new path on one of the areas busiest streets. This is the latest criticism of city centre road schemes which have failed to impress straight away, with the major revamp of Great Ancoats Street still causing controversy more than a year after its completion.
One problem also encountered when the street was first complete was cars being able to access Thomas Street via John Street, but then becoming trapped as the street and exit are now completely blocked. Since the Manchester Evening News approached the council for a comment on this, John Street has now been blocked off to stop this happening.
"This pits cyclists against pedestrians by putting both on a tight road which doesn't help anybody. There is no continuity between the different plans for cycling and pedestrianisation. In response, a Manchester City Council spokesman, said: "Above all, the cycle lanes in this street are new and as is the case with all new projects there will be a period of time where it beds in, and users and residents adapt to its presence." Addressing concerns of cars entering Thomas Street from John Street the spokesman said: "It is clearly signposted that this road is no entry and drivers who enter it are committing a traffic offence.