It's chaos now on Deansgate.My takings are down by 40%

AN Uber driver says city centre gridlock has slashed his takings by 40 per cent in a year.

- CHRIS SLATER

Mohin Khan, 38, has spoken out after a weekend of jams in town sparked anger amongst residents and businesses.

As the M.E.N. reported in yesterday's front page story, particular ire has been directed at the creation of a cycle lane down the length of Deansgate which means traffic can now only travel one way - southbound from the junction with King Street West down to the crossroads at Liverpool Road.

Work on the final stretch of cycle lane from the junction with Peter Street to near the Beetham Tower, which began in August, is ongoing.

That stretch of cycle lane is not yet open but traffic is down to one lane, with temporary lights currently in place at the end of Deansgate.

Drivers reported being stuck in jams for over an hour on and around Deansgate at the weekend with videos circulating online of fights breaking out among motorists.

Residents and local businesses told the M.E.N. that the tailbacks have become a daily occurrence.

And Mohin, from Longsight, says they are having a noticeable impact on his takings.

"It's chaos really. This is the worst bit of Manchester," he said on Deansgate.

"You have all these high-rises being built but no extra infrastructure in terms of traffic. All they are doing is taking lanes out rather than putting them in.