~Manchester City Council~ is trying to iron out differences with the area’s police force over their interpretation of the Traffic Management Act 2004.
Greater Manchester Police force was reviewing its involvement in managing traffic flows around major events, according to council traffic manager, Kevin Gillham.
Gillham explained that the shift had been prompted by the force’s belief that the 2004 Act meant they no longer had to deal with the issue. He said the police’s decision could cost the city’s local authorities a ‘fortune’. ‘We have good co-operation with the police, but they are pulling back on what they do. They will still be there for public order offences and matters of safety, but they are now saying keeping traffic moving is down to us.’
Gillham said the police plan to hand over traffic control at events run at the City of Manchester stadium, JJB stadium, Reebok stadium and the Manchester Evening News arena. Traffic around Manchester United’s ground Old Trafford will become the responsibility of ~Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council~.
Manchester’s concerns were echoed by Southampton council parking policy manager Robert Kitching, who said the south coast authority needed ‘further negotiations’ with its local constabulary to determine the level of costs associated with events where a police presence was required .
Greater Manchester Police were contacted by Surveyor, but they could not comment before we went to press.