‘Traffic boxes’ cause chaos
A NEIGHBOURHOOD was plunged into chaos after giant ‘window boxes’ were placed on the streets in attempt to ease traffic.
The 14 plant filters have been installed across Levenshulme in a sixmonth trial. The Active Neighbourhood project includes improved road crossings, traffic calming measures to improve air quality and ‘strategically placed’ planters to be used as road filters. The planters mark the starting point for the trials but, just hours after their installation, some residents complained the scheme was confusing.
The project has been in development since 2018. One resident said: “It’s a well-intended scheme. I appreciate there’s a few bits that need to be ironed out but in order to prove that it will have a positive effect, it needs to be well executed – this feels like half a job.”
Residents say although an announcement was made last month to indicate when they would be installed, there were no signs or notices indicating they are now in use or how drivers should make adjustments to their journeys.
Resident Jeremy Hoad said: “After waiting so long for these planters to go up as filters, they’ve been put in and haven’t been done properly. Not only that but they could be potentially dangerous.”
There are safety fears as the planters are difficult to see after dark.
Manchester council said it was taking residents’ feedback on board to ensure the trials helped to benefit the ‘health and well-being of the community’, and would now be looking at installing reflective signage.
Mr Hoad added: “It’s quite frustrating really after waiting all this time. We shouldn’t be at a point where people are asking what is going on. To me, it only highlights the missed opportunities to engage with people.”
Some planters were moved or knocked over. Marc Geoffrey was one of a group of residents who were out until 1am tidying up the filters and moving them back.
He said: “There is clearly frustration both from people who are for and against the trial but there are some condoning acts of vandalism that I don’t think are very productive.”
Resident Nick Purcell said: “The diagonal filter at Gordon Avenue and Delamere Road arrived and with just three minutes of observation there were five cars mounting the pavement to cross it. With no road signage, no pavement bollards and not even any reflectivity, it beggars belief that Manchester City Council and our local councillors could be so belligerent in their poor delivery of this scheme.”
Coun Angeliki Stogia said: “It’s disappointing that a small number of planters were moved overnight and it’s really heartening to know that members of the community acted to clear up after the act of vandalism.
“We’re also aware that in some locations, vehicles have illegally driven on the pavement to go around the filters. This is unacceptable and dangerous. We’ll be looking at positioning additional planters where possible to deter this behaviour, while protecting essential access for people on bikes, pedestrians and people with disabilities.
“In line with feedback from residents, we’ll also be adding reflective signage, to improve the filters’ visibility at night.”
She added: “The point of the current trial is to find out what difference the measures make on the ground and to carry on listening to local residents and businesses, so that we can work together and make changes where necessary to get it right, before any permanent decisions are made.”