Manchester's Gay Village to be pedestrianised at weekends to keep revellers safe

By Ailsa Macmillan

Plans to close off parts of Manchester's Gay Village to traffic at weekends have been approved.

The scheme put forward by Manchester City Council will close Sackville Street, Brazil Street, Richmond Street and the popular Canal Street to cars between 8pm and 5.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Given the go ahead by the authority's Executive, the scheme will be set up by April using cash from the council's parking service.

Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester City Council city centre spokesman said: "Manchester's gay village attracts thousands of people from all over the world to the city centre, and this scheme will encourage even more visitors to come and enjoy the excellent pubs and clubs we have on offer."

Andrew Stokes, Chairman of the Village Business Association (VBA) said: "The pedestrianisation of Sackville Street will have a positive impact on thousands of people's experience of the gay village as a leisure destination.

"The VBA supports the proposals and looks forward to its introduction in 2012."

The scheme is being set up after a trial in 2009 which was supported by tourists, locals, businesses and police who said it reduced the number of crimes and accidents.

Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council's executive member for the environment, said: “The trial we held was a huge success, supported by residents, businesses and the police, and we've since been tweaking the original scheme to make sure we've got it right.

"This scheme is needed to improve road safety for people visiting that part of the city centre.”

The gay village is a busy area at weekends with many clubbers out enjoying the nightlife but can be very dangerous.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Inspector, John McNeil said: “The pedestrianisation of Sackville Street would add to the safety of the village and allow people to enjoy the night life of the area while remaining safe."

The area around Canal Street will also be closed during special events - such as the Manchester Pride - and nights before Bank Holidays.

Tim Birchall, a barman at Via on Canal Street said: “They should have been doing this years ago but for some reason they stopped supporting it.”