Royce Road Blocked Off - Residents Divided
Royce Road, Hulme, was blocked off today for at least one hour between 5-6pm. Traffic was diverted by police as a few local Hulme residents demonstrated peacefully how they want to see Manchester City Council make the two halves of Hulme Park into one continuous stretch. Their argument is that children going from one side to the other could be in danger of traffic moving quickly along that part of Royce Road.
Parents are concerned about fast moving vehicles even though there are speed bumps and that these ramps won’t slow down boy racers. Yet, children should be accompanied by an adult if they are too young.
None of the demonstrators, however, was admitting as to who was in charge or who exactly organised the event.
Vanessa Hall, mother of a young son, tree surgeon and was elected Hulme Councillor 2003 -2008 for the Green Party, told The Hulme Tune, “As a parent myself, I don’t think its appropriate to have this road going through the park.” Vanessa, Chair of Manchester Green Party and their national spokesperson on women issues, went on to say that most parents think the road doesn’t need to be here.
Other Hulme residents, who live further along Royce Road towards City Road, argued that OAP’s who live local want the 263 bus to come back through St Wilfred’s estate. Last year, after money was spent on new bus shelters and raising kerb heights, the 263 was re-routed to go along Stretford Rd. This means that pensioners on the estate have to walk further while carrying heavy shopping across Stretford Rd at busy times.
Even though the Community Transport bus is available, local residents aren’t happy with the service. One woman, who doesn’t want to be named, told me, “People have to book the Community Transport bus the day before and not on demand as they wanted, then return at an exact time. Bringing back the 263 along Royce Road would benefit many. If Royce Road is blocked off then any hope of its return would be squashed.”
This is what Councillor Nigel Murphy had to say:
Royce Road Blockage - Cllr Nigel Murphy
You can listen to more of the interviews from this demonstration by listening to The Hulme Tune this Thursday 10-11am on ALL FM 96.9
