Recommended

Live webinar: Navigating success and challenges: A deep dive into Demand-Responsive Transport operations | 8 May 14:00 BST
Listen now: Intelligent Transport Podcast Episode 30 – Jennifer Sanders, North Texas Innovation Alliance
Editor’s Pick: Shared mobility: A revolution in urban mobility and beyond
Read now: From dusk till dawn: Tallinn’s journey towards 24/7 public transport
Read now: Quadrac and Discover® Global Network transform Japan’s cashless public transit landscape
Read now: Next generation protection in the digital age
news

£69.5 million transport funding boost considered in Greater Manchester

Posted: 25 January 2021 | | No comments yet

Greater Manchester could soon see a big boost in funding as proposals including new rail stations and new bus routes are considered by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

What is mobility like in Manchester?

Manchester's Metrolink is operated by Keolis

Multi-million pound funding proposals aimed at improving and developing rail stations and the bus network, delivering more electric vehicle charging points and working up plans for potential new Metrolink stops are set to be considered by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).  

Alongside a suite of newly published plans for transport across the city region, the £69.5 million Transforming Cities Fund 2 proposals will, according GMCA, help to better connect communities, open up opportunities, revitalise town centres and local economies whilst making neighbourhoods cleaner, greener and healthier. The funding will also help support the city-region’s social and economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Investment plans

  • £20m to develop quality bus transit schemes, including northern and eastern orbital routes, and to improve pinch points across the network, including improved walking and cycling infrastructure.
  • £15m for a new rail station at Golborne as the best performing option in the New Station
  • £7m contribution to the Network Rail Greek Street bridge project in Stockport.
  • £2.5m funding business cases for new rail stations and Metrolink stops
  • £2m investment in a new Travel Hub, including Park and Ride, at Tyldesley.
  • £10m in match funding for EV charging posts across all ten local authorities.
  • £3.3m for Access for All Funding for next priority stations, including Swinton.
  • Up to £10m for further scheme development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This allocation follows the initial Transforming Cities Fund of £243m made available in March 2018, which was used to fund projects including £160m for walking and cycling infrastructure as part of the Bee Network, and £83m for 27 new Metrolink trams to boost network capacity.

“Throughout the pandemic public transport has been critical in ensuring we could all continue to access essential shops and services and for our key workers to get to their jobs. As we look forward to our recovery, I am determined to speed up the delivery on a world-class, integrated public transport system in Greater Manchester,” said Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

“This package of improvements is designed to do just that and lay further foundations for Our Network vision for public transport.

“It will bring new services to communities with some of the poorest links, as well as improving access for people where it is most needed, including developing quality bus routes between our town centres, establishing the business case for more Metrolink stops and expanding our electric vehicle charging network.

“So this should not just be seen as building better infrastructure; this is about providing our residents with wider opportunities, access to jobs, skill and education, reducing social isolation and building stronger and better-connected communities where people want to live and are able to thrive,” he added.