A major road that has seen 100 casualties over the past five years is set to have its speed limit reduced.
Drivers on the A34 Kingsway, which runs south from Levenshulme to Cheadle, will need to stick to a revised 30mph limit from the end of July.
It is the last of eight roads to have its speed limit brought down from 40mph in a Manchester City Council (MCC) scheme to stem the number of accidents on the city’s major routes.
The new speed limit will apply for three miles from the junction with Moseley Road to a few metres short of the Stockport border at Parrs Wood.
“We know that certain roads, such as Kingsway, are major arterial routes for many people,” said a statement from MCC. “However, we need to ensure that they are safe for all users.
“There are 7 schools and 5 parks within 200m of Kingsway showing that there are a large number of children in the area – our most vulnerable road users.
“Within the last 5 years, there have been 100 casualties from collisions on Kingsway, with 13 of these victims being under 18 years old.
“72% of the Kingsway casualties have excessive speed as the key contributory factor.
“We believe that no driver, cyclist, or pedestrian error should result in a fatality or life changing injury, and every street made safer through schemes like this works towards Vision Zero – Greater Manchester’s ambition to eliminate road death and life changing injury by 2040, with a target to achieve a 50 per cent reduction by 2030.
“The intention is to increase safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all.”
Although there is a pause on the proposed reduction on the Mancunian Way, the other six roads in the project are already complete and running a 30mph speed limit:
- World Way, by Manchester Airport
- Middleton Road
- Moseley Road, from Kingsway to Wilmslow Road
- Greengate, from Victoria Avenue East to the Oldham boundary
- Styal Road, southwards along Simonsway to the Stockport boundary
Work will begin to install new signs and road markings, while temporary signs reminding drivers of the new limits will remain in place for several months.
