A proposal to reduce the speed limit on Princess Road from 40 to 30mph was approved by Manchester City Council’s Executive yesterday

The scheme will see the speed limit reduced for the whole 3.7 mile (6km) span of Princess Parkway and Princess Road on an initial trial basis, for 18 months.

The trial scheme was proposed after a petition launched by local residents requesting the change attracted more than 1,000 signatures. An analysis of speed and collision data carried out in February 2016 showed that 84 collisions had happened on the road in the previous three years, resulting in two fatalities.

However Lib Dem Councillor John Leech has accused the Council of backtracking on its promise,

Despite promising local residents in West Didsbury and Chorlton that the speed limit on Princess Road would be reduced from 40mph to 30mph, the Council’s Executive yesterday went back on their promise, and have only approved a temporary reduction in the speed limit, while an evaluation of effectiveness is carried out over the next 12 months.

“One thing is certain, the majority of local people want a permanent reduction in the speed limit. Most local people know someone who has been killed or injured on this treacherous road, or have had a lucky escape on one of the numerous near misses” said the former Withington MP

“I’m not sure what the council expected when they encouraged motorists to take part in the consultation, and it is not surprising that commuters do not want to see the speed limit reduced. I am not blaming the motorists – they will not know just how dangerous the road is for pedestrians – but it is pretty obvious that erecting signs asking motorists to comment on the plans was going to result in lots of objections from commuters outside of Manchester, yet the Council failed to ensure that they knew where the objections were coming from.”

 

 

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