Andy Burnham sets out £69.5m transport improvements for Greater Manchester

Andy Burnham sets out £69.5m transport improvements across Greater Manchester. 

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will be considering a new strategy which involves more stops on the Metrolink and renovation of local rail stations.

Improvements are also expected to be made on the bus network and additional electric vehicle charging points across all ten boroughs. 

Mayor Andy Burnham says the new network will help to reduce social isolation and ‘build stronger and better-connected communities’ following the pandemic. 

Burnham stated: “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.

“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.”

The funding includes £20m on bus transit schemes, £15m new rail station at Golborne and £7m contribution to Network Rail Greek Street in Stockport.

There is also £2.5m funding on new rail stations and Metrolink stops, £2m investment in a new Travel Hub including Park and Ride at Tyldesley, £10m in funding for EV charging posts across all ten boroughs and £3.3m for Access for Al Funding for the next priority stations.

There will be an additional £10m for further scheme development.

Wigan Council leader, David Molyneux called the new station at Golborne ‘superb news’. 

He said: “It will connect the town and the wider area with Wigan, Manchester, Cumbria and the airport, providing more opportunities for our residents, reducing traffic on local roads and regenerating Golborne’s economy,

“This is the result of a lot of hard work, including from the local community, and I want to thank everyone who pushed hard for this to become a reality.

“This isn’t the end of the process, we still need to make the business case to government and our partners, but this will mean we have the money to deliver if we get the go-ahead.”

The investment will be the biggest revamp of local transportation since £243m Transforming Cities Fund in 2018.  

The overall aim of Greater Manchester’s transport strategy is to deliver ‘Right Mix’ vision of 50% of all journeys in the city region to be by public transport, cycling and walking by 2040.

See more on the 2040 Transport Strategy here.