Manchester - Fallowfield - The story so far .

AndyManc

Right , I'm sick of typing .. so I'm just going to copy n paste the e-mail I've sent to Manchester council :?


Mark,

Obviously I don't agree with on-call's statement, irrespective of that, my concerns were over the condition of the road surface at the junction with the road leading to Sainsbury's car park , the surface is at 'split levels', this issue has been reported before (over a year ago) I will take photo's and contact 'on call' later.

The cycle lane outside Lloyds was totally blocked yesterday ( Sunday ), I stopped a passing police car and asked if he would do something about it, he said it was not the responsibility of the police (that will be the opinion of all the police patrols) to take action , I mentioned the word 'obstruction' along with the fact I had a headcam influenced him to move all the vehicles ( they moved en-masse as he approached ).

Please take a look at the enclosed photo, a private hire vehicle outside Sainsbury's plying for trade , PLEASE NOTE , the company he works for has been taped over , it's essential the licensing department investigate this.

I approached this driver and pointed out he was breaking the law, the first words that came out of his mouth was " You don't pay road tax " , I resisted the temptation to drag him kicking and screaming through his window, pointed out the error of his ways and got him to move.

If you could also request the licensing department contact me , of if you could forward me their e-mail contact address.

Regards

redddraggon

It's crap down there, I hate cycling down there. Luckily I only go down there early Sunday and Saturday mornings when I'm going out on long rides.

It really needs sorting out. Next time I'm trying Kingsway to see if that's a better route.....

AndyManc

redddraggon wrote:

It's crap down there, I hate cycling down there. Luckily I only go down there early Sunday and Saturday mornings when I'm going out on long rides.

It really needs sorting out. Next time I'm trying Kingsway to see if that's a better route.....

It is a hell hole, taxi's , 'Magic buses' ... it's a disgrace.

I've adopted the route , ( Wythenshawe Park , Palatine road, Wilmslow Rd, Oxford Rd ) , it's one long road into the city centre .. and it's my local.

I plan to shame Manchester Council into taking action , I'll get the media involved, European MP's , whatever it takes.

BTW , Kingsway near Gatley crossroads (motorway slip road) is very dangerous .., I will not use it for that reason.

thrope

I always avoid those areas - and Oxford Road as well...

I think the best way into the city center from the south is up Yew Tree Road (join it at the start of withington if you are coming from further east.

Follow it all the way up - its great, a few traffic lights but I never have any problems with drivers compared to Rusholme, fallowfield, oxford road, kingsway etc.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/We ... IST-Campus

AndyManc

thrope wrote:

I always avoid those areas - and Oxford Road as well...

I think the best way into the city center from the south is up Yew Tree Road (join it at the start of withington if you are coming from further east.

Follow it all the way up - its great, a few traffic lights but I never have any problems with drivers compared to Rusholme, fallowfield, oxford road, kingsway etc.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/We ... IST-Campus

I see they've rebuilt Maine Road stadium :shock:

Yeah it looks like a decent route, BUT , Manchester Council have spent thousands (our money) building cycle lanes through Rusholme and Fallowfield and I expect them to enforce regulations and maintain the lanes, they aren't doing either.

I also expect them to eradicate dodgy Taxi's and Bus companies, we shouldn't have no-go areas for bikers .

Gotte

Sick em

Gotte

Sick em

The Chingford Skinhead

If only to show that us Londoners aren't London-centric...

Go for it Andy. As you say, a lot of money is spent (and often wasted) on cycle facilities so that councils can meet their "targets" but are a complete waste of time for cyclists because they are either poorly designed (see the book Cr4p Cycle Lanes) or they are poorly maintained or proper enforcement action is not taken by the police / council to ensure that other vehicles do not obstruct or block them.. Keep the good work up and let us know how you get on.

(I've fond memories of Manchester - I used to be up there 6-8 x per year as that was where one of my former employers' HQ was)