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Bridge over troubled waters


By H's D
June 3 2016

The recent collapse of the new bridge across the MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL has now placed a big question mark over whether we will actually benefit from the new road scheme during the forthcoming season, but it seems timely to dispel a few myths and reduce expectations while we wait for them to deal with the 300+ tons of scrap metal and concrete currently completely blocking the canal!

Further Improvements in Access – looking forward to the 2016-17 ?2017-18? Season .

A rambling attempt to summarize and clarify expectations associated with Part WGIS Phase 1 New Access Road Improvements.

BACKGROUND

As many current attendees have reported, the change in match-day and game time, the variable flow traffic arrangements on the old A57 spur and the computer controlled traffic light phasing at Junction 11/ Old A57 turn-off to the stadium have combined to markedly reduce the initial traffic congestion many supporters experienced when we first moved to the AJ Bell.

However it is difficult to separate and apportion the benefits of each because of the concomitant reduction in numbers of attendees and the reduction in size and use of the stadium car park compared with year one. Many have now switched to using the airport and approaching from Caddishead, and more are arriving by coach or are using the TC shuttle. Experience and exchange of information have also played their parts in facilitating relatively easier access to the AJ Bell for most. As the saying goes 'where there is a will, there is a way'.

What is certainly true is that according to the highways agency Junction 11 remains a pinch point in local traffic movement and, even without the stadium’s presence, that junction is operating way above maximum capacity at busy periods.

It is also still true that if the TC/Event City is particularly busy or if any local problems affect traffic flows at the critical junction 11 then you certainly need to set off a little earlier.

One can also add (sadly) that no one really knows the consequences were a game to sell out on a Friday night.

The clear message from the club must therefore continue to be ‘Come as early as you can, and enjoy the excellent heated marquee and live pre-match entertainment’. It makes sense and it works!

 

However for those of us that can’t: How will things change when the new low-level lift bridge over the ship canal finally opens?

Ever since our move was announced I’ve taken an interest in looking into these plans so it seems timely to share what I have gleaned. It’s only a personal layman’s view but by all means draw your own conclusions and plan accordingly. Choices will still need to be made; so here it is....

PART WGIS aka Phase 1.

I’m only going to look at the first phase of the over-arching plan to improve local traffic flows. The second phase doesn’t even have a date on it currently and it may well be four or five years off.

First the rationale; I suggest you read it whilst carefully studying this plan. It's pretty much cut and pasted from official sources….

The aims of the A57 road improvement programme Phases 1 and 2 are to remove heavy traffic from Peel Green and to take local traffic off the M60 at Barton Bridge during peak periods.

As part of the original planning process, a complex computer model of the highway network in the area was constructed to test the effectiveness of the A57 road proposals. The Highway Authorities in Salford & Trafford and the Highways Agency who are responsible for the motorways did this jointly. Existing traffic flows, projected flows from other known development proposals (including the stadium and associated retail park) as well as the traffic projected from Peel's Port Salford were imputed into the model. The estimated growth in general traffic levels was also agreed with the highway authorities.

The new proposals were added into the model and results were produced which “proved” that the proposed new road network would indeed be capable of accommodating the existing traffic together with the expected natural growth in traffic over the following 10-15 years, the anticipated traffic from Port Salford and the projected traffic from the other known developments (including the Stadium and associated retail park). The results were subject to heavy scrutiny from the 3 highways’ authorities who needed to be satisfied that the new network would improve the current situation in terms of capacity and safety before planning permission was granted – it was not just a matter of Peel asserting it would be all right and the Planning Authority accepting it.

Phase 1 of these works was due between January 2013 and Autumn 2014 but has been delayed and will only come to fruition towards the end the 2016-17 season, it involves the construction of a new dual carriageway link by-passing Peel Green Roundabout across the Manchester Ship Canal to Trafford. The south facing slip roads at Junction 11 will remain as they are as part of Phase 1.

End of official stuff…

Likely relevant effects of Part WGIS on Sale supporters.

To be frank the computer modelling referred to doesn't really indicate huge changes to existing congestion, so it is perhaps wrong to get too excited.

In fact most of my rationale for writing this article is to point out that Sale Sharks and supporters may actually be expecting too much of the road improvements currently.

Most of the reduction in traffic congestion after stage 1 is completed is anticipated in relation to the morning rush hour on Irlam bound traffic, which may be reduced by 28%

In the evening only a 7% reduction in congestion towards Irlam is anticipated.

In fact this principle holds for most routes via Junction 11, morning rush hour reductions are far more marked, so we shouldn't expect miracles.

Morning congestion should be improved by up to around a third, evening by around 10%.

However before disappointment sets in there may be more significant benefits because of the greater number of routes to significantly more non-stadium options for parking.

Simply having more choice should enable us to make more use of a bit of nous in avoiding problems.

One merely has to consider the new options for parking to see potential substantial benefits.

TC and environs:

The new bridge (D) and use of a footpath direct to the North East corner of the stadium should potentially facilitate supporter use of all the car parking associated with the Intu Trafford Centre, Chill Factore, JJB Soccer dome and David Lloyd Centre. Some of the companies operating these businesses may decide to charge in the same enterprising way the airport owners have, but others will continue to permit free parking.

Use of the TC shuttle should be easier with quicker journey times, increased frequency and therefore improved capacity. Walking from the TC should be no more arduous than walking from the street parking or rugby ground parking in Eccles. IMHO this new pedestrian route may become the single biggest benefit of having the new road. At a push all of the TC's various car parks could be used and if parking at the JJB Soccer-dome becomes possible it will be just as convenient as parking at Barton Aerodrome.

Eccles parking

All Eccles options should be slightly easier to access as a consequence of reduced congestion and a quieter junction 11; the on-street parking, that at either Rugby Club or at St Michaels.

Barton Aerodrome

The aerodrome will no doubt continue to be a favourite parking destination for those coming from the North and West. However it may become slightly less popular with those coming from the South as all local traffic will be obliged to navigate the new traffic lights at the stadium (© on the phase 1 plan). These lights will be a choke on traffic movement, (albeit minimised with computer controlled phasing); one should bear in mind that the right hand lane of that variable flow route from junction 11 to Barton Aerodrome may not run quite as smoothly because those heading towards the stadium car park will now also be able to use it.

I therefore anticipate a few more folk will use the Warburton Bridge or Junction 21 on the M6 in order to continue to use the airport parking.

Barton Aerodrome users will have a slightly more direct, less hazardous pedestrian route to the stadium.

Stadium car park

IF you currently use the stadium car park do consider the other options (you may have no other option). Its capacity will almost certainly be reduced to closer to the 600 that was permitted in the original planning consent. I haven't checked but closer to 1000 cars may well use it currently. For those that continue to park at the stadium there should be easier access from Junction 11. Mostly because the re-orientation of the stadium to be straight on at the traffic lights © should enable both lanes of the old A57 spur to be used more easily.

Fundamentally there will now be 3 immediate routes to and from the stadium rather than the current 2.

IKEA/new retail development

IF you think you may be able to park at the proposed retail development adjacent to the stadium be aware that development is still another year off or more. Consider developing a passion for roll-mops and tea-lights, its car park may be for customers use only!

Won't pay/Won't walk, but can come early car parkers

IF you currently park for free in the disused slip road next to the new pub or park clogging the adjacent junction you are certainly going to have to change your current arrangements! Both areas are going to disappear.

New similar opportunities may appear when the old parts of the A57 become cul-de-sac but it is clear that the traffic lights at © will become the main pinch point for the stadium. You may be obliged to walk a little bit further!

Bus and Coach users

Hopefully travel times might well improve but you already have my utmost respect and thanks for doing more than your share to minimize local congestion. When I retire I will be joining you!

Barley Mow Boozers and Buffet eaters

Rejoice, for thee may not need to change plans at all!

CONCLUSION

My personal conclusion, (for those with little spare time or who work on Saturday mornings) is to make plans minimising the use of traffic light junction © and Junction 10 in a car. I personally expect that the new bridge route will be of greatest benefit for pedestrians, rather than drivers of cars seeking to use the car parks adjacent to the stadium in that last hour pre-match.

Overall I'm quietly quite optimistic that the new road will improve matters considerably during Phase 1 and may actually facilitate an increase in attendances without any significant increase in congestion in the hour pre-match.

However that may well be partly dependent on the TC shuttle being scaled up substantially, with appropriate publicity. Whether the club will do that pro-actively (learning from past mistakes?) or reactively (too little too late?) is anyone's guess. Hope you read this Swanny!

The use of Junction 11 should reduce, with easier overall access, especially for Sale supporters who are prepared and able to walk a few hundred yards.

The downside is that use of junction 10 (and to some extent junction 9) will certainly increase. The former is, worryingly, already regularly suffering from queues both on and off the motorway. For that reason I have always used junction 9 and the old swing bridge when parking in Eccles or at the TC. I will continue to do so but might occasionally try out junction 11. It's perfectly fine on most match-days.

However whenever that M60 ring road is reported as heavily congested or the TC is likely to be full or there's a large exhibition on, I think I will continue to set off towards Lymm with 12p in my pocket and a fiver to support the airport.

IMHO flexibility is going to be just as key in making successful 'last hour runs' to the AJB.

I just suggest you yourself consider all options afresh before committing to a fixed plan, for example buying a Stadium Car Park Ticket for next season.

For me, having differing wet Friday night and weekend day travel plans (and a third one for Christmas) has always seemed just plain common sense at the AJB. Plus ça change.]

But if you can always set off in plenty of time or suffer from any difficulty or disability the Stadium Car Park will continue to be an excellent if slightly costlier option. The current downside of a few minutes lock-in post match may well need to be continued for at least a while but it may become unnecessary if new footpaths are routed appropriately.

It would be good if the club gave an indication of any reduction in capacity of the Car Parks for next season. If capacity is to be reduced it may affect decision-making. Early purchase of Car Park Season Tickets could be advisable as they may well sell-out if Sale continue playing the rugby we have all enjoyed this season.

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