Walking festival continues to make great strides

Greater Manchester’s Walking Festival is back and bigger than ever for its third annual incarnation.

The festival, which runs from Monday 1 to Wednesday 31 May, has increased in size yet again, offering more than 300 free guided walks exploring local towns, cities, countryside, canals, riversides and parks across Greater Manchester.

Coordinated by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) with support from HOME Manchester and many local walking groups and charities, the festival aims to showcase all that the region has to offer.

An exciting new addition to this year’s festival calendar is an ‘out of hours’ Art Walk which takes place at 5.30pm on Thursday 18 May, organised by Castlefield Gallery and HOME. This will take participants on a whistle-stop tour of some of the city’s top exhibitions.

The festival calendar will also feature many other expert-led walks, spanning a wide variety of interests and themes. Amongst this year’s events is a ghost walk, a Gruffalo walk for young families and a birdsong walk. There’s even a chance to try walking football, walking netball and Nordic walking.

The full list of walks can be found at the Greater Manchester Walking Festival website.

TfGM Head of Active Travel, Helen Smith, said: “This year’s Greater Manchester Walking Festival is bigger and better and we want to get even more people involved and build on the success we’ve had in the last two years.

“The festival aims to get as many people as possible across the region to find out how easy – and enjoyable – walking can be. The walks, which cater for a variety of abilities and ages, provide the chance to explore, experience, meet new people and get more active.

“We owe a huge thank you to all our walking partners and walk leaders, many of whom are voluntary, who run all the walks and make this festival possible.

“Walking has obvious health, environmental and social benefits and we hope that by encouraging people to get involved they will be inspired to continue walking regularly after the festival has ended.”

Funded by the Department of Transport, the Greater Manchester Walking Festival is part of TfGM’s Walking Works project, encouraging people to make a walk part of their daily routine.

To find out what’s happening in each area, visit www.tfgm.com/walking, where there is an online copy of the festival brochure containing all the walks. Copies of the brochure are also available in TfGM Travelshops and other outlets across Greater Manchester, or can be ordered by emailing walking.works@tfgm.com.

On social media, check out the GM Walking Festival Facebook page or search for the #GMWalking hashtag on Twitter.

Travellers warned of strike-day disruption - Saturday 8 April

Travellers are being warned to plan ahead and expect disruption on Saturday 8 April as staff on Northern and Merseyrail services hold a new 24-hour strike. 

Most Northern and Merseyrail services are not expected to run and any that do operate, working to a revised timetable, will be extremely busy.

The 24-hour strike runs between midnight Friday (7 April) to midnight Saturday (8 April). There will be no Northern and Merseyrail trains before 8am or after 7pm.

There are a number of major events taking place across the North West on 8 April, including the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, Manchester City FC vs Hull City FC at the Etihad Stadium, and the World Boxing Organisation title fight between Liam Smith vs Liam Williams at Manchester Arena, as well as other local events.

Thousands of people will also be travelling across the region for shopping, entertainment and leisure, so all public transport and Greater Manchester’s roads are expected to be busier than usual.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), which is helping to co-ordinate the region’s response, is urging people to carefully consider their travel arrangements.

Those attending the Grand National, in particular, are encouraged to plan ahead. Although train services are running to Aintree Racecourse they will be extremely busy, and people are warned not to rely on the last train service of the day to get home.

TfGM is working to support Northern and Merseyrail’s own customer communications effort and has created a special travel information page on its website to help keep Greater Manchester commuters on the move: tfgm.com/industrial-action.

TfGM’s Events and Operational Coordination Manager, John Fryer, said: “We are taking action to minimise the disruption to the transport network but we know there will still be problems, especially given the number of events taking place on Saturday.

“To help minimise disruption and ensure a smoother journey, our advice is simple: plan ahead, be prepared, and think about all your travel choices.

“There are numerous park and ride sites across Greater Manchester offering 100 or more spaces for public transport services, helping people to avoid congestion on the roads.

“Metrolink tram stops provide access to key destinations across Greater Manchester, including Manchester Arena and Etihad Stadium.

“We also strongly advise that people check the Northern and Merseyrail websites and social media channels for regular updates and information.”

You can see the locations of the park and ride sites and help to plan your journey here.

For information on public transport across Greater Manchester visit www.tfgm.com, call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays) or follow @OfficialTfGM on Twitter.

Greater Manchester Marathon - Temporary Road Closures

The Greater Manchester Marathon takes place on Sunday 2 April, meaning roads in Trafford will be temporarily closed to traffic as they become part of the course.

Roads will be closed and reopened at different times during the day, with the earliest and latest closures near Old Trafford and on Bridgewater Way from around 6am to around 5pm.

The closures will mean all traffic has to find alternative routes and the event itself is likely to make public transport busier than usual.

Bus services will be significantly affected by the road closures, with services diverted around the road closures.

Journey times are likely to take longer so you should plan ahead if you are taking part in, spectating or avoiding the event.

Please visit our Greater Manchester Marathon page to help keep you moving and minimise the impact on your travel plans.

Get active and healthy, fast and easy

Employers in Greater Manchester can help improve their employees’ health by encouraging daily bursts of brisk walking.
 
A daily fast stroll of 10 minutes or more raises the heart rate, improves fitness and can ward off illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
 
A new Public Health England campaign, One You, aims to encourage healthier lifestyles, and has a free app, called ‘Active 10’, which shows how much brisk walking you are doing and where you can fit ‘Active 10s’ into your day. The app also sets you brisk walking goals and provides hints and tips to keep you going.
 
Employers in Greater Manchester are being invited to support the campaign and order a free One You business pack, by clicking here and entering the password walkatwork17.
 
The pack includes a wallchart, stickers, employer guide and walk of the week cards.       
 
And with Transport for Greater Manchester’s Walking Festival taking place during May, why not encourage participation in the festival as a way of increasing people’s activity? Click here to find out more about the festival.
 
The One You campaign is supported by Greater Manchester Moving, a partnership which includes TfGM and the GM Combined Authority and aims to improve the health of the region with physical activity. 

One Way Working On Part Of Third Avenue, Near Village Way - Temporary Traffic Regulation Order

Dear Recipient,

As you may know The Transport for Greater Manchester (Light Rapid Transit System) (Trafford Park Extension) Order 2016 (The Order) came into force on 24th November 2016. This Order gives Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) the legal powers to build and operate the new Trafford Park Metrolink Extension between Pomona and the Trafford Centre.

The Order has also given TfGM the legal powers to make any Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) required to facilitate the works. Whilst this process is usually undertaken by the Highway Authority, TfGM have, for administrative reasons, elected to undertake the process. However, please note that any TTROs made by TfGM are being made with the prior agreement of the Highway Authority – Trafford Council.

Please click here to access a Notice of intent for the introduction of a TTRO for one way traffic working on a length of Third Avenue, near to Village Way. There is also a plan attached that shows the diversion route for traffic affected by the restriction.

The effects of the TTRO will come into force and be enforceable from the 5th April 2017. It is anticipated that the Order will remain in force for a period of around 6 months.

TfGM will continue to engage with stakeholders along the route and will provide further information as we progress. In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding the powers under which these restrictions are being introduced or the Metrolink extensions in general, please do not hesitate to contact either me or a member of the Future Metrolink team on 0161 244 1555 (office hours) or email MetrolinkTPL@tfgm.com.

Kind Regards,

Bethan Stanway
Communications Officer

Transport for Greater Manchester

2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester M1 3BG

Greater Manchester makes rail devolution ‘Case for Change’

Plans to put passengers first and transform Greater Manchester’s local rail stations into community hubs were unveiled yesterday.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has submitted its ‘Case for Change’ to the Department for Transport, in a bid to secure a multi-million pound investment and regional accountability by bringing Greater Manchester’s rail stations under local control.

The submission has been made on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), in line with the 2014 devolution agreement and 2040 strategic vision for transport to drive economic growth and regeneration.

The detailed business case recommends the wholesale transfer of station ownership and management from Network Rail and train operators to Greater Manchester as the best solution to help stations realise their full potential.

It sets out plans for long-term investment to enable local stations to: act as community hubs; offer a seamless journey through better integration with the wider transport network; improve access to jobs and local facilities; and act as a catalyst for local regeneration and social enterprises.

Subject to an ‘in principle’ Government agreement by summer this year, 94 local rail stations could transfer to Greater Manchester custodianship in the next two to three years, with city centre Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria and Oxford Road to follow thereafter.

The current model of station ownership does not allow for long term customer focus and planning and stations and their facilities have not evolved in line with customer expectations. This is due to the short length nature of current rail franchise contracts with funding mechanisms of up to no more than nine years.

If approved, over £400 million – combined from existing funding streams and additional Greater Manchester investment – would be invested in local stations over the next two decades, with potential to use related land assets for additional housing, commercial development and improved car parking.

Greater Manchester’s plans would act as a catalyst for social business initiatives that could see stations support local health and well-being by offering community gyms, cafes and health centres.

Stations could also include art galleries, room for concerts, performing arts, festivals, and local weekend markets – and space for offices and meetings, conferences and training and development.

Rail station transfer will help stimulate significant economic investment in local communities and spread economic benefits more widely across the region, helping GM deliver its ambition of an extra 227,000 home by 2035. Preliminary analysis suggests that there is immediate scope for the construction of 119 housing units on underused adjacent land and station facilities.

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Mayor, said:  “Many of Greater Manchester’s rail stations do not meet the expectations of the travelling public. Stations have lost their place in the community, more than half lack step-free access, and some can be intimidating to use, particularly at night. I believe it is important that our transport assets do not just meet, but exceed the demands of users. The case for change is clear. 

“With a transfer of rail station responsibilities we can envision our local rail stations as thriving community hubs that can open up access to jobs, housing and leisure.

“Our ‘Case for Change’ plan offers a long-term approach to investment and growth that our industry partners have simply been unable to deliver under the constraints of the current system. It makes financial sense, benefits local communities and puts passengers first.

“Crucially, these proposals support our 2040 transport strategy for an integrated transport network, which has received widespread support from local residents, businesses and organisations.

“We will work with the Government and support where we can to ensure a quick decision is made - we want to start delivering change as soon as possible.  This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference for local residents and passengers.”

Jon Lamonte, TfGM’s Chief Executive, said: “Under the current system, Greater Manchester’s rail stations have not developed in line with customer expectations.

“This is an innovative approach that that would transform local stations into transport hubs that are well-used, offer a pleasant travel experience and improve quality of life by offering a useful asset for the local community.

“The recent redevelopment of Irlam rail station has already showcased how our vision can become a reality, demonstrating just what can be achieved when local stations realise their full social and economic potential.”

TfGM has been working with established industry experts who have worked on large scale social enterprises to develop an approach to realise its vision for Greater Manchester’s rail stations.

Read our social prospectus (Action Stations) here and the Executive Summary of the Case for Change proposal can be found here.

For a case study of what we believe can be achieved please read our overview of the redevelopment of Irlam Station here.