Have your say on the future of transport in Greater Manchester

The future of transport in Greater Manchester

People across the region and beyond are being asked to have their say on the future of Greater Manchester’s transport as a 12-week consultation on a draft long-term strategy launches.

The Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 – developed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – sets out long-term proposals to create a cleaner, greener, more prosperous city region through better connections and simpler travel.

The strategy considers all aspects of travel from local neighbourhoods to global markets and focuses on creating an integrated, sustainable, and well co-ordinated transport system which supports a wide range of different travel needs.

The consultation gives local people the opportunity to shape the future of travel as part of a radical, and ambitious, new approach to planning in support of long-term needs and aspirations.

Proposals for consideration include:  

• Connected neighbourhoods
  Better pedestrian and cycle links to make active travel the natural choice for short journeys
  Safer, less congested and less polluted local roads
  Improved access to local facilities, (including disabled access) 
  Improved facilities at local stations
  
  
• Travel across the wider city region 
  Integrated smart ticketing system for public transport
  Improved orbital public transport travel opportunities
  The next generation of rapid transit routes (tram-train and bus)
  Improved maintenance and resilience of our highways key route network and local roads
  
  
• Travel to and within the regional centre
  Increased capacity for rapid transit in Manchester city centre, including exploring the feasibility of tunnels 
  High quality public realm and a city centre that is easier and more attractive to walk and cycle around 
  Re-development of Piccadilly station to integrate HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, local rail and Metrolink
  Measures to reduce the number of large goods vehicles at peak times
  
  
• Delivering better city-to-city links
  Improving the reliability and resilience of the strategic road network
  Faster rail journeys across the North and to London and Birmingham 
  Improved trans-Pennine connectivity
  
  
• A globally connected city region
  Improved public transport access between the Airport, HS2 and the Manchester Airport City Enterprise Zone 
  A Ship Canal wharf, rail and road links at Port Salford
  
  
• GM-wide interventions
  Increased cashless payment options for account based travel including an integrated smart ticketing system for public transport
  Car clubs and cycle hire (potentially including electric) schemes to expand the GM transport offer
  Opportunities for a clean air zone reviewed and delivery of air quality and carbon reduction measures

This builds on the publication of the 2040 Vision for transport in Greater Manchester, consulted on during summer 2015, which outlined the role of transport in supporting sustainable economic growth, protecting our environment, improving quality of life and developing an innovative city region. In conjunction with the Strategy, TfGM is consulting on a five-year delivery plan which details the first stage of implementation.