1,000 signatures reached
To: Cheshire East Council
Manchester Road Wilmslow/Handforth death trap!
We are writing to raise serious concerns regarding the recently implemented cycle lane scheme on Manchester Road and to formally request that Phase Two be paused until a full safety and usability review is conducted.
Since the opening of Phase One, there have reportedly been four accidents in as many weeks. This frequency raises significant concerns about the safety of the current road layout for all users.
Key issues identified include:
- Reduced road width: The narrowing of the carriageway has made it more difficult for vehicles to pass safely, particularly larger vehicles such as buses.
- Bus manoeuvrability: At the Blue Bell junction, buses are reportedly forced to move into the opposite side of the road to navigate turns safely, creating a risk for oncoming traffic.
- Cycle lane usage: The cycle lanes appear to be underused, raising questions about whether the current design meets the needs of cyclists.
- Access to properties and businesses: Residents and customers must cross the cycle lane to enter and exit driveways and premises, increasing the risk of collisions and confusion among road users.
Given these concerns, we believe it is both reasonable and necessary for Cheshire East Council to:
- Conduct a full safety audit of Phase One
- Publish transparent data on accidents and usage
- Engage with residents and local businesses
- Make necessary design adjustments before proceeding further
We strongly urge the Council to pause Phase Two of the scheme until these issues are properly addressed.
Public safety must take priority over continued implementation.
Why is this important?
Every week since the new Manchester Road cycle lane opened, there’s been another accident.
That’s not a statistic — that’s someone’s car, someone’s commute, someone nearly getting hurt.
What was meant to make our roads safer is doing the opposite.
The road has been narrowed so much that buses are now forced onto the wrong side just to get around corners at the Blue Bell junction. Drivers are second-guessing every move. Residents are taking risks just to get in and out of their own driveways. Local businesses are harder to access than ever.
And the most frustrating part? The cycle lanes themselves are often empty.
This isn’t about being against cycling — it’s about getting it right. Safe roads should work for everyone: drivers, cyclists, residents, and businesses alike. Right now, this design is failing all of them.
We’re not asking for the project to be scrapped — we’re asking for common sense.
Pause Phase Two.
Review what’s already been built.
Fix the problems before someone gets seriously hurt.
If you’ve driven this road, you’ve seen it.
If you live here, you feel it every day.
Add your name to the petition and help make our roads safer for everyone.
