New bus gate in Heaton Lane introduced as part of Interchange development

As part of the plans to create the town’s new multi-million-pound transport Interchange, the council is introducing a ‘bus gate’ on Heaton Lane in the town centre.

Heaton Lane has been bypassed as a through route for town centre traffic following the completion of the Travis Brow to A6 link road.

Once the new Interchange has been completed, Heaton Lane will have a primary role as an access to the hub utilising the new bridge over the River Mersey in the town centre. This will improve route planning and access for buses and remove them from Mersey Square.

Only buses, cyclists and licensed hackney carriages will be permitted to travel down Heaton Lane past the new bridge over the River Mersey, at the junction of Astley Street.

The bus gate, in action from 8am on Tuesday 22 February, will make Heaton Lane a more attractive walking and cycling corridor. In order to operate safely and effectively in its new role it is important that through traffic is removed from the link whilst maintaining local access.

Cameras will be used to enforce the ‘bus gate’ and access will be restricted by:

• A ‘bus gate’ to restrict eastbound traffic from the new bridge (Astley Street) junction towards the A6.
• A ‘bus gate’ to restrict westbound traffic from the new bridge (Astley Street) junction towards the roundabout.
• Please note that, following one week of warning notices, starting on 22 February, unauthorised vehicles will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) from 4 April 2022.

Local access to the west end of Heaton Lane is maintained via Heaton Lane roundabout, and to the east end of Heaton Lane from the revamped junction at the A6.

The new bus gate is not linked in any way to the GM Clean Air plan.