Following our work with Transport for Greater Manchester, Manchester City Council and Salford City Council on the 'Street for All: City Centre' package, we have recently been engaged to help Manchester City Council develop and deliver an immediate response to the coronavirus lockdown by closing part of Deansgate, a major retail street in the city centre, to traffic.
Our team provided advice starting with strategic thinking about the scheme layout, its use by cyclists and pedestrians, access and servicing, safety, and fit within the wider network.
In addition, we have helped develop the detail of a deliverable layout, hostile vehicle mitigation, traffic management and diversionary signage. We worked closely with councillors and officers, as well as offering support during engagement sessions with residents and businesses.
Deansgate was closed on 16 May 2020 to enable social distancing and help kickstart the city centre economy. The closure has been well-received by the public and there are growing calls for more extensive measures and similar schemes to be delivered as soon as possible.