Double yellow lines have finally been installed on a busy street near a school - despite fierce backlash from nearby businesses who tried to blockade the road.
North Street, near the Manchester Fort shopping park, has now been fitted with traffic calming measures including double yellow lines and bollards in a bid to improve road safety near the Eden school on Rayburn Way.
The measures were part of a legal agreement made when permission was given for the new faith school to be built, with several nearby roads being put forward for work to improve the safety of school children.
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However, the plans have been the subject of heated debate for the past three years following a fierce backlash from local businesses.
The controversy looked to be at an end when the proposals were officially confirmed and were scheduled for this week but, when contractors turned up to get to work, they found the road blocked by vehicles from nearby businesses.
A HGV had been parked in the centre of the street, completely blocking the route.
Witnesses also reported that some of the bollards installed on Tuesday had been removed from the ground on Wednesday morning.
The Manchester Evening News understands Greater Manchester Police were contacted ahead of the planned work to ensure contractors were able to carry out the work in peace.
GMP declined to comment on the matter.
On Wednesday, passersby reported seeing some of the offending vehicles being put on the back of low loaders to allow contractors access to the road.
After they were removed Manchester City Council, who have been facilitating the work, confirmed that all traffic calming measures planned for the area were able to be installed.
A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: "During the development of the Eden Boys and Eden Girls Leadership Academy an agreement was reached with the council to improve road safety in the adjacent streets.
“The planned work to install safety bollards and double yellow lines in North Street, Rayburn Way and at the junction of Cheetham Hill Road was scheduled to go ahead on Tuesday October 26.
"There have been circumstances in the past which have prevented contractors from completing this work on behalf of the Star Academy Trust, however the council is still committed to supporting the Academy's ambition to improve road safety for pupils."
