Local Democracy Reporting Service
LDRSA new speed limit will be introduced on a busy Greater Manchester road in a bid to improve safety – although some residents are concerned it could only create more issues.
Part of the A34 between Broadway and the Cheadle Royal Hospital junction in Cheadle, Stockport, will change from 50mph to 40mph in both directions from mid August.
But some people have raised concerns that lowering the speed limit could cause problems with slower traffic causing more pollution.
Stockport Council said its plans for the A34 focused on making the route safer for everyone.
A safety review by the council earlier this year put forward the case for a lower speed limit along one section of the road.
Electronic speed warning signs will be installed to highlight the new speed limit, plus new signs on the northbound carriageway bridge.
Dave Cooper, who lives near Broadway, said there were more people using the road than ever before.
“The trouble with slowing down the traffic is it could make a lot more pollution because the traffic is taking longer to get around,” the 69-year-old said.
“It’s regularly really busy, it’s horrible during rush-hour.”
Stockport CouncilLynsey Lowdon, 40, lives in Wilmslow but comes to the area for shopping.
“A34 is highly congested and there’s a lot of traffic,” she said.
She said more cycling would be “great in an ideal world” but said it was “a very dangerous road to be a cyclist on”.
Ms Lowdon added that lowering the speed limit on the A34 could cause more problems with congestion due to cars taking longer to reach their destinations.
Appropriate speed limits are a key part of the Greater Manchester-wide plan to reduce road deaths in the region, known as Vision Zero.
LDRSCouncillor Grace Baynham, the council’s lead on highways, said reducing the speed limit was a “crucial step in improving safety for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists”.
“Additionally, by encouraging smoother traffic flow, this change will help to improve air quality in the area, supporting Stockport’s wider commitment to tackling air pollution and promoting healthier communities.
“We want to ensure that our roads are not only efficient but also safe and environmentally responsible for residents and commuters alike.”
