A ROW has erupted over plans to turn a pedestrianised Manchester city centre street into a bus route.
Transport bosses want to divert one of the free Metroshuttles along residential Left Bank in Spinningfields.
The walkway is lined with apartments and is the most heavily inhabited part of the city's new business district. People living there are petitioning against the plans labelled 'unnecessary' and `disruptive'.
The No 3 shuttle bus currently runs the 'purple' route along Gartside Street, by the court buildings, which is open to traffic and just yards away from Left Bank.
Under new plans it will turn right off New Bailey Street, head down Left Bank - instead of Gartside Street - and turn on to New Quay Street at the end of the pedestrianised stretch.
Coun Marc Ramsbottom said: "The residents' concerns are that this is entirely unnecessary and will bring early morning traffic right underneath their windows. The idea is to bring it closer to the restaurants but it can't be more than a 30 second walk to the current stop.
"I am expecting to receive a petition from residents with over 100 names at the weekend which I will pass on to transport bosses."
It is understood the plans have been drawn up to help people going to restaurants under the Left Bank apartments.
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive says it is considering residents' views on the issue. The route, operated by First Manchester in contract with GMPTE, runs every 10 minutes between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sundays. It travels across the city centre between Piccadilly Station and Salford Central station.
There is no requirement for bus operators to consult with the public on a route change although they must give GMPTE 56 days notice of proposed modifications, according to Manchester council.
GMPTE said: " We are now considering residents' views along with the need to support the development of Spinningfields."
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Gaz, Gorton (16/07/2009 at 09:17)
Last Saturday I was about to cross Deansgate on the green man when a bus came through and his back wheels mounted the kerb. You see this couldn't give a toss about anyone else drving by bus drivers every day. I am surprised more people aren't knocked over by them in town.
As for this shuttle bus drving down a pedestrian road well why? It stops near the Opera House which is two minutes walk away and also round the back of the court which is about fifty yards away from these restaurants.
MPs gravy train, UK (16/07/2009 at 09:35)
Noise between 7am and 7pm shouldn't be an issue. I live on Oxford Street and there have been generators working throughout the night for weeks due to roadworks. These are 10 yards from people's bedroom windows and the Council won't do a thing about it.
PW, Manchester (16/07/2009 at 09:41)
Gaz, Gorton (16/07/2009 at 10:17)
I assumed that a water main must have burst or a gas leak. At midnight I was getting a bit hacked off so went down and just asked 'how much longer will you be'. One bloke slammed his spade down and about an inch from my face told me to go forth and multiply (or similar!) and said if I didn't like noise then I shouldn't live in town.
Anyway the upshot was it was general upgrading of the water pipes (no emergency) and the council asked them to work at night so as not to disrupt the traffic too much during the day. The road works went on until 4am.
Bin lorries aren't supposed to operate in town until 7.30am but he regularly gets woken up at 6am by the bin lorries at the hotel near him.
I know some will say that is what you get by living in town but traffic noise is one thing but how whether you live in town or not it is common sense not to dig up roads at 11pm on a Sunday.