The Thomas Street Pedestrian and Cycle Zone will come into force from Friday 14 June, with the new rules meaning that the street will be open to pedestrians and cycles only from 8pm – 5:30am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, plus from 8pm – 5,30am on bank holiday Mondays.

The same restrictions will be in place on Thursdays when they fall before a public or bank holiday Friday.

Thomas Street is a thriving part of the city centre’s Northern Quarter, which is continuously busy with visitors and residents alike, especially in the evenings and at weekends.

During the specified times, motor traffic will be prevented from entering the area by removable ‘Manchester bee’ bollards, which will be located on Thomas Street at its junction with Kelvin Street and Back Thomas Street and adjacent to its junction with John Street.

The experimental traffic regulation order for the new zone will be reviewed within 18 months, to measure the effects of the changes and to consider feedback from residents and businesses.

Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, Planning and Transport, Councillor Angeliki Stogia, said: “Thomas Street is an incredibly popular location and it’s important that we make sure that this area is more suited to pedestrians and cyclists, particularly during busy weekend evenings.

“We’re committed to working with residents and businesses to review the scheme’s effects, to ensure that it is working as intended and gain feedback which will guide future actions.

“We are always looking for ways to improve the safety and suitability of our roads for pedestrians and cyclists and so we’re excited about the potential this scheme has to help make the thriving city centre work better for all road users.”

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