Work will begin on November 4 to install safety measures on a 1.2km stretch of Hyde Road, where four people have been killed in crashes over the past five years. The section, between Laburnum Road and Chapman Street, has been identified as a crash hotspot, with 41 reported collisions since January 2021, resulting in 63 casualties, 27 serious casualties, and four deaths.
Recent fatal crashes on the road
In August, a collision involving a car and a digger on Hyde Road in Gorton claimed the lives of Natasha Denman, 24, and Jack Cartwright, 23. The roadwork-related crash occurred at around 9.35pm on August 5, near the junction with Clumber Road. The coroner's officer said the car was 'travelling at high speed' before it 'crashed into plant machinery at roadworks'. Police confirmed that two other men in the car were also badly injured. A man has been charged and appeared in court.
In a separate crash in June 2021, a collision with a black Saab on Hyde Road at 1.45am claimed the life of 56-year-old cyclist Charlie Lewis. The 66-year-old driver of the car was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but later released under investigation.
In July 2022, 23-year-old Danyal Ul-Haq from Oldham lost his life on Hyde Road after a Range Rover, of which he was the front passenger, crashed into a phone mast. The driver of the blue Range Rover was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, and a second passenger suffered minor injuries. Danyal's cousin, Hassnain Ul-Haq, had been 'racing' an Audi driven by Hamza Hussain, which led to the crash, a court later heard. Both cars had been driving at more than double the 30mph speed limit before the Range Rover lost control. Both men were jailed.
In February 2024, a pedestrian was hit by a Corsa said to be going 'almost double the speed limit', leaving her injured in hospital for eight months.
Nine new average speed cameras planned
Nine new average speed cameras are to be installed across the road next month. The current speed camera work, commencing from November 4 until November 16, will result in partial lane closures outside of peak times around the key areas.
A further 25 Manchester routes are lined up to receive similar average speed camera upgrades, with the scheme aiming to improve road safety and reduce the number of serious incidents. Unlike traditional speed cameras, average speed cameras calculate a vehicle's speed over a longer distance rather than at a single point, encouraging drivers to maintain a consistent speed.
Partnership and Vision Zero support
The work is being carried out in collaboration with the Safer Roads Greater Manchester Partnership, which involves Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The scheme supports Manchester's Vision Zero Strategy, aiming to eliminate road deaths and life-changing injuries in the city region by 2040. It reflects the Safe System approach's Safe Speed element, as part of the 2024–2027 Action Plan commitment to upgrade safety cameras and target speed enforcement at high-risk locations.
Councillor Mandie Shilton Godwin, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport, said: “When it comes to this road, the data tragically speaks for itself. Over the past five years we’ve seen an inordinately high number of collisions taking place, many of them resulting in serious injury and sadly, even death.
“We know that when people cut their speed, safety improves. This is why Manchester City Council are working alongside our colleagues at the Safer Roads partnership to improve safety along Hyde Road alongside other roads across Manchester.”
Apollo Simms, 26, of Tealby Road, Manchester, was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to provide a sample for analysis following the deaths of Natasha and Jack. He appeared in court in August and will appear again in the next few months.
