Manchester City Council is consulting on a road danger reduction proposal for Wythenshawe from now until 18 September 2026 – and they need us all to speak up in support in order to help realise a vision of safer, happier, friendlier neighbourhoods.
If we don’t speak up now, then passionately negative opposition voices could dominate the discourse and ensure we continue to hurtle towards intimidation by speeding SUVs every time we walk, wheel or cycle in our neighbourhoods.
So seize the opportunity while it’s here and add your voice to positive change for our health, wellbeing and quality of life.
What does the evidence show?
The rest of the Manchester City Council area is already mostly 20mph – and those lower speeds are helping to reduce harm. Whereas Wythenshawe is currently being left behind.
There are several reasons why road danger reduction via 20mph rollout was among our 5 pledges for local election candidates in May.
- A person is 5 times more likely to die if hit at 30mph than at 20mph [Source:Â The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents]
- 20mph roads help keep all people safer – whether they’re walking wheeling, cycling, driving or a passenger [Source:Â UK Parliament Post]
- Driving at 20mph can mean less speeding up and braking, which can reduce emissions [Source: LondonAssembly]
- Journey times are unlikely to change when driving at 20mph instead of 30mph [Source:Â Transport for London]
On top of this, the more humanised movement speeds lead to indirect benefits over time:
- more social interaction in local areas – read about Donald Appleyard’s seminal study
- more people feel safe to walk, wheel and cycle, which can lead to better physical and mental health
- fewer collisions and less pressure on the NHS
- lower public costs – for example, for blue light responders to deal with the widespread effects of collisions, from lengthy medical care to street damage repairs to road network delays
The Wales 20mph project has already delivered huge strides in terms of reduction in casualties on our roads – all by encouraging more sensible speeds.
How to learn more
If you’d like to discuss the proposals with council officers in person, there are the following drop-in sessions:
- 12 August  – 12pm to 3pm Active Streets Brooklands,Sparkford Avenue, Brooklands, M23 9EL
- 13 August – 11am to 2pm Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Wythenshawe, M23 9LTSpace within the Atrium next to the cafe  – Entrance 5 Outpatients
- 18 August – 11am to 2pm Wythenshawe Forum, Simonsway Wythenshawe Manchester M22 5RXPop-up stall on the concourse
- 19 August – 12pm to 3pm Active Streets, NorthendenWest View Road, M22 4LN
You can also contact the project team with any questions or comments via email:Â SpeedReductionScheme@manchester.gov.uk
And once again, the link to respond to the consultation by 18 September 2026 is below: