Manchester's Curry Mile still city's cycling blackspot despite safety plans

Two and a half years after a Manchester firm of personal injury solicitors identified the Curry Mile on Wilmslow Road as the city's most dangerous stretch of road for bike riders, Manchester cyclists are angry that safety improvements not been implemented.

The Manchester Evening News reports that data obtained from the police underFreedom of Information Laws reveals the road still has the city's highest number of collisions involving cyclists.

Plans to introduce bike lanes and cycling-specific traffic signals have been on Manchester council's to-do list since April 2013, but those who ride in the area say they have still not been implemented. Some fear they may be quietly dropped.

Tim Blackwell, who cycles to work everyday along the Curry mile, told the paper: “Many people avoid cycling on the main road because they don’t feel safe. The current road design means you’re placing your safety in the hands of others including motorists who aren’t always aware and considerate.

“The statistics show the junction of Wilmslow Road and Wilbraham Road could be made safer, but the council have done little to improve this with their recent changes at this junction.”

The council says the delay has been caused by the need for further study of the effectiveness of the plans.

A spokesperson for Manchester council said: “We had planned to introduce new traffic signals, which would have included a dedicated light allowing cyclists to set off and turn before cars were released, at the junction for a trial period.

"However, an independent expert raised concerns that motorists driving across this incredibly busy junction may have misread the new signals, potentially leading to more collisions with cyclists.

“We decided a more suitable trial site should be considered, and we are currently working with members of cycling groups to look for more appropriate locations elsewhere on Wilmslow Road.”

The council might be right to be cautious. Traffic lights intended to make London's notorious Bow roundabout safer for cyclists have been criticised as insufficient and did not prevent cyclist Venera Minakhmetova being run over and killed by a left-turning lorry on November 13 2013.

In comments on the MEN's story, Tim Blackwell points out that the plan for the junction of Wilbraham and Wilmslow Roads was criticised by Dutch cycling expert Mark Wagenbuur who wrote an article explaining the planned changes weren't up to Dutch standards.

Blackwell added: "Regarding the curry mile, the statistics should be viewed in context. It's one of the busiest cycle routes in Manchester, so it's less surprising that there are more accidents there. But there isn't room for all the parking, buses and bikes, so riding down it really does feel like running the gauntlet. It's enough to put most people off. The fact that so many people ride there anyway should be a sign that there's a demand for cycling and it needs better facilities. Otherwise it's the weak link in the Oxford Road chain."

However, it's not all bad news. Cycling collisions have reduced in Manchester in recent years. There were 801 in 2011, 642 in 2012 and 583 in 2013.