Buses back after row over ‘pedestrians only’
NEW barriers are being installed on Deansgate to allow buses to travel through following a row over pedestrianisation.
The stretch of road between Blackfriars Street and
King Street has been closed to traffic since May.
Manchester council brought in a temporary traffic order saying it would allow more room for people returning to the area following the first coronavirus lockdown.
But it emerged last week that Diamond Bus company had objected to the order, claiming that it was detrimental to passengers and that the council was using the situation as a backdoor to permanent pedestrianisation without proper consultation.
When talks broke down, Diamond began the process of challenging the council’s decision in the High Court via a judicial review. The day before a hearing was due to go ahead, the council backed down and agreed it would compromise by reopening Deansgate oneway to buses. Councillor Angeliki Stogia, the executive member for transport, criticised Diamond saying it was ‘extremely frustrating’ that the operator had ‘chosen to go down this route.’
Diamond hit back in a furious response given to the M.E.N, accusing Coun Stogia of having ducked out of a meeting to discuss the issue.
The operator also accused Manchester council of having made an ‘embarrassing’ error by imposing an ‘unlawful’ temporary traffic order, while revealing that the council has agreed to pay Diamond £42,000 towards legal costs.
The council rejects the claim it has acted ‘unlawfully’.
A consultation on plans for the permanent closure of the section of Deansgate are ongoing.
In the meantime, workmen were back on site preparing for the road to reopen.
The new setup will be open from Wednesday, December 16.
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