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.