Located under the M5 at Oldbury, it is considered the UK’s largest roadside water runoff filtration system. The set-up will capture debris and pollutants that exist in the runoff water from the M5 carriageway, meaning that water fed back into the watercourse will be cleaner.

Using 10 filters to cleanse collected rainfall, the water from the M5 will be discharged into the canal. This should help to keep the waterways cleaner and promote better water quality, with the hope of aiding wildlife in the area.

Colin Jackson, project manager at National Highways, said: “This new drainage system is a real boost to the local canal network that runs underneath the M5 Oldbury viaduct. We know that the local habitat is a crucial part of the landscape at Oldbury and we’re confident this new system will play a significant role in helping biodiversity.

“The drainage has a special filter installed inside the pipework which is designed to capture debris and pollutants before entering the water network which can then simply be removed by specialists at regular intervals.”

Though the system took many months to complete, it didn’t impact road users on the motorway or nearby local roads during its development. Specialist equipment was used to dig under the M5 to install the pipework.

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A report commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority found that the number of drivers who stopped to let pedestrians cross on side streets increased from four in 10 to seven in 10 when zebra markings were present. 

The two-year study involved substantial consultations and on-street trials, concluding that all road users understood the meaning of zebra markings. If the scheme is successful, hundreds of crossings will be added to residential and low traffic areas of Manchester within the next year.

Commenting on the trial, Andy Burnham said: “In Greater Manchester, we’re determined to shift the focus to become a city-region where walking, cycling and public transport comes first. That includes ensuring that people feel safe walking to school, the shops and work.

“The latest data we have has shown that 55 people in Greater Manchester alone have been killed at side road junctions on minor roads over a three-year period. This is shocking and needs urgent action.”

The highway code states that a driver must give way to a pedestrian who has already started crossing a side road. It is expected that this will be changed to include pedestrians who are waiting to cross on a side road, but zebra crossings could help to reinforce this rule.

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