Purpose

The A56 & A5081 are two of the busiest corridors in Trafford. They form part of Greater Manchester’s Key Route Network and support a variety of retail, commercial & leisure businesses, generating a significant amount of vehicle movement. There have been concerns raised by Greater Manchester Police & Transport for Greater Manchester regarding congestion and inappropriate obstructive parking, resulting in poor road safety and heavy congestion, in particular relating to events hosted in the Old Trafford area, including, Old Trafford Football Stadium, Old Trafford Cricket Ground & Victoria Warehouse.

It is proposed to introduce 24-hour, 7-days a week (at any time) Red Route Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on the A56 and A5081, and on associated side roads, between the M60 and the boundary with Manchester. This will be under powers conveyed in the Road Traffic Regulation Act. Red Route TROs allow for better management of parking and loading and will assist parking enforcement officers when combatting obstructive parking.

The proposals support the Greater Manchester Mayor’s commitment to reduce congestion on the region’s highway network as detailed in the Greater Manchester’s Congestion Deal.

The proposals are shown on drawing numbered E9371-27 OVERVIEW REV B.

The formal consultation took place on 18th March – 8th April 2024. A total of 97 responses were received, 42 objections, 21 responses not considered as objections/no grounds offered and 34 responses showing support to the proposal.

Having considered the representations received, approval is sought to introduce the scheme as shown on drawing E9371-27 OVERVIEW REV C and described in the schedule within this report.

Decision

1. That the results of the consultation and objections received be noted.
2. That following careful consideration of the objections and comments received, authorisation be given to make and introduce the Traffic Regulation Order with minor modifications as detailed in the Schedules to the report and shown on drawing E9371-27 OVERVIEW REV C as soon as practicable.
3. That the objectors be informed of the decision made.

Reasons for the decision

In the interest of providing a safe, accessible route for all vehicles & pedestrians, improved bus journey time reliability and to support the Greater Manchester Congestion Deal, the Traffic Regulation Order to be implemented with minor modifications, as detailed in the Schedules to the report and shown on drawing numbered E9371-27 OVERVIEW REV C.

Alternative options considered

Not progressing the proposals would be detrimental to providing a safe, accessible route for all vehicles and pedestrians, with improved bus journey time reliability to support the Greater Manchester Congestion Deal.