Mancunian Way could permanently become 30mph zone after tragic crash
The 30mph Mancunian Way speed limit could become permanent after a year of temporary restrictions. The limit on the motorway was lowered a year ago from 50mph to 30mph on a trial basis after council officials reviewed the safety of the road, which is one of Greater Manchester’s busiest. It’s said that, from May 206 to May 2021, there were 47 verified collisions on the thoroughfare, resulting in 58 suffering injuries.
Tragically, these statistics do not include the death of 17-year-old Nadia Yusuf, who died after a Mercedes being driven by Rohail Jillani crashed into a bridge. 
Nadia Yusuf, 17, died following a collision on the Mancunian Way on Monday January 10 (Image: GMP)
Jillani drove at 98mph on the motorway, and filmed himself inhaling laughing gas on social media.[3] He lost control of his car on January 10, 2022, and ploughed into the wall of a railway bridge passing over the Mancunian Way as it heads towards Great Ancoats Street. The 20-year-old of Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, pleaded guilty to causing Nadia’s death and serious injury to his other passenger, Shafi Sufi, by dangerous driving.
He was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison.[4][5][6] A year on from the new speed limit, and 18 months on from the devastating crash, council bosses believe the road now handles more traffic than it was ever designed for. Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment and Transport said: “The Mancunian Way, which was first opened in 1967, is no longer designed to cope with the levels of traffic it sees daily.
Rohail Jillani
“We have gone from an age that saw tens of thousands of cars on the road to millions, yet this road is still operating under the same principles it launched under 50 years ago.
Ultimately we are hoping to prevent injury and potentially save lives by introducing this change.” The council is now launching a consultation on permanently lowering the speed limit. The 30mph zone will cover the whole of Mancunian Way between Egerton Street and Fairfield Street, including the 40mph section between Downing Street and Fairfield Street.
Residents and motorists can have their say online until December 7.[7]
References
- ^ He went to the pub to watch football with his mates… but tragically never returned home (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Incredible work set to transform Northern Quarter street into Chanel catwalk (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ inhaling laughing gas on social media. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Wilmslow (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Rusholme (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Residents and motorists can have their say online until December 7. (www.manchester.gov.uk)