Work to pedestrianise part of a Manchester suburb set to start next week

Work to pedestrianise part of a Manchester suburb is set to start next week.

The transformation of two public spaces in Withington, which will start on Monday (November 4), is expected to be completed by March next year. The work includes the part pedestrianisation of Copson Street and expansion of the public square outside the library.

It comes after Manchester council launched a consultation earlier this year asking local residents what changes they would like to public spaces in Withington. More than 70 per cent of those who took part supported the 'pedestrian-first' plans, the council said.

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Old Moat councillor Gavin White, who is the executive member for housing and development at the council, said the changes planned will make local residents 'feel proud' of the area. He said: “As a council we are keen to continue investing across all our district centres, making genuine and lasting improvements that will greatly improve their amenity for local residents.

"On top of this we understand how improved access and public space can increase footfall, provide improve space for businesses to operate and act as a magnet for increased economic opportunity for the area.

"Pride of place is something that we are deeply invested in, and through this scheme we want to provide residents of Withington a public square and surrounding amenities that not only make them feel proud, but areas that can act as a focal point for something more. Meeting friends, holding community events and simply providing more space for living is what this project is all about.”

From Monday (November 4), work will start on Rutherford Place - the square outside Withington Library - until late December. Then, after the mandated pause on works over the Christmas period, works will resume from early January, this time on Copson Street too.

The changes to Copson Street will include the part pedestrianisation between Wilmslow Road and Patten Street with all vehicles prohibited apart from cyclists, loading and unloading, access and blue badge holders. There will also be new tree planting and improvements to lighting and seating on the street, while new one-way systems will be introduced on surrounding streets.

Davenport Avenue will be made one-way towards Wilmslow Road, deterring non-local traffic, while a one-way southbound route will be introduced along Wellington Road from its junction at Lausanne Road. Rippingham Road will also be made one-way westbound.

Part of Wellington Road will be closed outside the library too. Manchester council says that the changes to Rutherford Place will create 'a more welcoming and opening public space' outside the library which it describes as a 'well-used and important local amenity'.

Earlier this year the council ran a consultation asking what changes people in the local area would like to see. The council says that 72 per cent of those who took part said they would support improvements to Copson Street and Rutherford Place which would see a 'pedestrian-first mindset' at their core with a more attractive environment of trees, planting and more seating with quality paving.

The work is expected to be finished by the end of March 2025.