Purpose

An opportunity has arisen from the Sale West & Altrincham Network Improvement (SWANI) Funding Package, for improvement works in Sale Town Centre.

The Scheme includes junction improvements at Tatton Road/Springfield Road/School Road and School Road/Broad Road and Hope Road/Northenden Road junctions in Sale town centre. This includes the removal of the straight-ahead route from Tatton Road into Springfield Road to help traffic move more smoothly and safely. U turn prohibitions are also proposed, to prevent dangerous manoeuvres associated with this change of layout, though this prohibition will not be implemented until required at a later stage upon further monitoring of driver behaviour.

There are also changes to Loading restrictions to assist access for all road users in the area and Loading bays are to be provided to assist local businesses as part of the scheme.

The project will make it easier and safer to travel in and around the town centre, improving routes, crossings and connections between shops and services, nearby bus stops and Metrolink trams.

Decision

1)         That authorisation be given to advertise the intention to introduce the Traffic Regulation Order to introduce waiting/loading restrictions as detailed in the schedule to the report and that, if no objections are maintained, the Order be made and implemented in whole or in part, as soon as is practicable.

2)         That authorisation be given to advertise the intention to introduce the Traffic Regulation Order to introduce U Turn Bans as detailed in the schedule to the report and that, if no objections are maintained, the Order be made and implemented in whole or in part, as soon as is practicable.

3)         That authorisation be given to advertise the intention to introduce the Traffic Regulation Order to introduce Mandatory Left Turn as detailed in the schedule to the report and that, if no objections are maintained, the Order be made and implemented in whole or in part, as soon as is practicable.

4)         That any objections maintained be reported back to Members for consideration.

Reasons for the decision

It is recommended that, in the interests of bus access, road safety, traffic flow and visibility that approval is given to advertise the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders as shown in the Schedules and that, if no objections are maintained, the Orders be made and implemented, in whole or in part as soon as practicable.

Alternative options considered

None.