Purpose

Trafford Council identified
Urmston as a suitable area to pilot an Active Neighbourhood
initiative. Active neighbourhoods focus on developing safer and
more attractive areas that encourage people to walk, cycle, wheel
and play out by prioritising people on foot and bikes over motor
traffic. The active neighbourhood approach aims that all
initiatives are community and stakeholder driven. Proposals for
these initiatives could include modal filters/road closures,
segregated cycle routes, new and upgraded crossings, improved
signage, parklets, school street treatments and collision reduction
measures.

Decision

1.         
That the content and findings of the extended trial
be noted.

 
2.         
That the proposal to end the trial and not to
progress the Flixton Community Streets scheme further, be
noted.
 
3.         
That the proposals regarding each of the following
elements of the Flixton Community Streets trial, be
approved:
 
i.              
The removal of the two modal filters (one on
Brooklyn Avenue / Western Road and one on Rothiemay Road).

 
ii.             
The permanent retention of the 20mph speed limit
extension along 2 Irlam Road / Woodsend
Crescent Road forms part of a wider Trafford Highway Safety
programme that is funded by Trafford’s Traffic and
Transportation Highways capital programme.
 
iii.            
Not reinstate the temporary signalised junction at
the Irlam Road / Flixton Road junction or pedestrian crossing on
Carrington Road, northeast of Morris Grove.
 
4.         
That the Corporate Director of Place be delegated
authority, in consultation with Finance and Legal, to carry out all
necessary actions to implement this decision, including funding
updates and communications.

Reasons for the decision

The Flixton Community Streets
scheme aligned with Trafford Council’s Corporate Plan and
while not pleasing all residents, appeared to present an
opportunity for safer, quieter routes, and alternative sustainable
active travel modes that bring benefit to place, health and
wellbeing and air quality.
 
While the Flixton Community
Streets trial delivered clear benefits in terms of reduced vehicle
speeds and increased active travel, these were outweighed by
significant resident opposition particularly due to congestion
along Irlam Road even after modifications such as the removal of
temporary traffic signals. The resulting queuing, delays, and
increased emissions raised serious concerns about wider traffic
displacement.
 
A majority of the Flixton and
Davyhulme councillors did not support
retaining the scheme.
 
Decisions around active
neighbourhoods are never straightforward in this instance listening
to residents and taking their experiences seriously Trafford
Council recognise it is appropriate to end the trial and current
scheme but engaging with the Flixton community in future to explore
more effective and balanced solutions.

Alternative options considered

The alternative options would
be to:
 
• Retain the modal
filters.
 
This would involve progress
scheme to the next stage of TFGM business case process. Temporary
modal filters remain until the scheme goes through the
design/business review process. Interventions such as signalised
pedestrian crossings and side road treatments could be included as
part of a permanent solution.
 
• Continue to explore
opportunities to deliver improved and safer footways across Flixton
as part of future planning and funding bids.
 
Acknowledge the need for
improvements in the area, in particular, a signalised pedestrian
crossing along Flixton and Carrington Road, improved footways and
access to nearby schools, bus stops and other public transport
facilities.