City centres war on cars

Chiefs want less people driving into Manchester, but are the alternatives really viable for commuters?

- By THOMAS GEORGE

OUR days before Christmas, two regulars sit by the bar of a city centre pub. They have one thing on their minds.

"It's mayhem down there now," says one of the men, gesturing towards Deansgate.

The previous night was Mad Friday - or at least it was meant to be and the pair are offering their views on why the city's streets were so deserted on what was traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year.

After explaining why they chose to stay at home the price of taxis and unreliable buses are among the reasons listed the conversation turns to another topic.

Over the festive period, traffic chaos on Deansgate was the talk of the town. Frustrated drivers faced queues of more than an hour as the street and surrounding roads were jammed into total gridlock.

In chaotic scenes, some motorists mounted pavements to try to get through, with videos circulating online of fights breaking out among motorists.

The disruption was blamed on ongoing work to create a new cycle lane along Deansgate, and sparked a debate about the role of cars in a rapidly expanding city centre.

And it wasn't just a Christmas problem, the congestion has continued into the New Year.

Manchester council has made no secret of its desire to reduce the number of cars in town.

The town hall has also announced plans to reduce the speed limit on city centre streets to 20mph.

By 2040, the council wants 90 per cent of all trips to town to be made on foot, by bike or using public transport. The ambitious plans are supported by clean air and active travel campaigners, but many who live and work in the city have raised concerns.

The driving force behind what some claim is a war on cars is the perceived benefits to our health and the environment.

Manchester has some of the dirtiest air in the country and city centre streets are among the most polluted.