Greater Manchester announces plans for ‘Beelines’ – the UK’s largest cycling and walking network

Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, has unveiled an innovative new plan to create a city-region-wide cycling and walking network made up of more than 1,000 miles of routes, including 75 miles of Dutch-style segregated bike lanes.

The ‘Beelines’ network will be the largest joined-up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK and has been developed with all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities.

Once built, the network will better connect every community in Greater Manchester, benefitting 2.7 million people and making cycling and walking a real alternative to the car.

The proposals, which are subject to formal approval by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on Friday 29 June, also include plans for 1,400 safer road crossings on the majority of routes and 25 ‘filtered neighbourhoods’, where priority will be given to the movement of people and where more public spaces to sit, play and socialise will be created.

People in Greater Manchester make around 250 million car journeys of less than one kilometre each year – the equivalent of a 15-minute walk or a five-minute bike ride.

A large proportion of these trips are school runs. In the Netherlands, 50% of children cycle to school every day – in Greater Manchester the number is less than 2%. Beelines aims to make walking and cycling the natural choice for short journeys.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Greater Manchester has a long history of doing innovative things and our approach to Beelines is no different.

“This proposal is bold and I make no apology for that. If we’re to cut congestion and clean up our air, decisive action is needed. I want to make Greater Manchester one of the top 10 places in the world to live and it’s action of this sort which will help to deliver that promise.

“I’ve no doubt that Chris Boardman and the 10 local authorities which make up Greater Manchester will do us proud and make journeys on foot or by bike the first choice for local trips.

“This will help to tackle congestion and it will help to tackle poor air quality, as well as boosting people's health and fitness levels.

“We have £160m to get us started and we have a plan that has something in it for every single person in Greater Manchester.”

Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “I’ve been massively impressed by the political will of all of Greater Manchester’s 10 authorities to come together to make this plan a reality.

“It’s not really about people using bikes and walking – it’s about making better places to live and work by giving people a real choice about how they travel. In doing so, we’ll make the city -region healthier and more prosperous.

“We’ve seen from other global cities that these methods work and the benefits are there for all to see – we simply can't afford to be left behind.

“So now the hard work begins and we’ll be working closely with all local authorities and partners to deliver this plan as urgently as possible.”

Government Minister for cycling and walking, Jesse Norman MP, added: “The great city-region of Manchester is setting a fantastic example with this project. I commend Chris Boardman and his team for their energy and focus in making it happen.

“This is a really exciting plan to encourage more people to cycle and walk. But at the same time it will improve air quality, reduce congestion and improve health, by giving local people real alternatives to driving.

“Earlier this year we awarded Greater Manchester nearly £250m as part of the Government’s new Transforming Cities Fund, and I am delighted to see it being put to good use.

“Greater Manchester is already a great place to live, but this initiative plan will make it even better. I hugely look forward to seeing how this work progresses.”

Maps showing the proposed plans for each local council area in Greater Manchester have today been published on the Cycling and Walking Commissioner’s page on the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)’s website. The proposed routes and crossing points have also been published on open data website mappinggm.org.uk, where interested members of the public can collaborate on the plans for their area.

The plans represent the first version of the network that could be built over the next five years. An updated version of the Beelines map will be published later in the year.

Chris Boardman added: “Beelines will connect the quiet streets of Greater Manchester and lead in the most direct way to new crossing points to get people across busier roads.

“People using these routes will see new, distinctive signage which will be a marker of quality and will encourage them to take more journeys by bike or on foot.

“Beelines will be lined with zebra crossings at every side road, encouraging people to cross roads with priority and without fear.

“Planners, engineers and, most importantly, local people in each council area led on creating the first draft of these plans, which will evolve in the months and years ahead. By involving local people from the very first stage, and enabling them to inform the details of each proposed route and crossing, we’ll get the outcome they need, not what we think they need.

“That’s why we’ve taken the decision to create a first draft then immediately make it available to the public. This will be Greater Manchester’s network and it’s important that residents’ voices are the loudest, that they own it from start to finish.”

The plans published today have a combined budget of around £500 million and represent a first step in the planned £1.5 billion investment. Andy Burnham made the decision in March to allocate £160 million of the government’s Transforming Cities Fund to the project, which brings the total spend on cycling and walking in Greater Manchester to around £15 per head.

This funding is at levels seen in cities such as Copenhagen and Amsterdam, where cycling and walking make up 25% of all journeys.The first list of routes and crossings that will be built in this financial year will be published at the end of July. All 10 local authorities are now working with the GMCA and TfGM to identify sites where work can start quickly.

Salford City Council’s ambitious proposals for Chapel Street East are one of the first schemes to be submitted to the new Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge fund. They will create an environment where walking and cycling are attractive alternatives to driving and will support the sustainable development of city centre Salford. The scheme is modelled on the best Dutch streets including continuous footways and cycle tracks, implied zebras, traffic-calming, streets trees and planting.

Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, said: “Salford has been investing in our award-winning traffic-free cycling and walking network for many years but recognise we need to do more and welcome the Cycling and Walking Commissioner’s proposals. It’s also great to see the Greater Manchester Mayor’s commitment to spend £160 million on walking and cycling over the next four years. With this level of financial commitment we should be able to positively encourage more active travel in Salford and across Greater Manchester. We are confident that our ambitious plans for Chapel Street East are of the right quality and design to enable people to choose walking and cycling over using cars.”
To find out more, visit the Beelines pages on the TfGM website at www.tfgm.com/beelines .

Stay on track and plan ahead for HSBC Lets Ride

A number of key routes across Manchester city centre are set to close this Sunday as thousands of cyclists take part in the annual Let’s Ride event (Sunday 1 July).

With over 17,000 riders taking part, and thousands more spectators expected to line the streets, it promises to be a wheely exciting day for the city.

This means that as part of a day of traffic-free cycling – designed to encourage as many people as possible to get out on their bikes – a number of city centre roads will be closed between 6am and 6pm.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has developed a dedicated web page, offering information and travel advice, and will be implementing a number of measures to help those travelling make their journeys as easy and as stress free as possible.

Bus diversions will be in place on Deansgate and Oxford Road throughout the day.

Metrolink services will be unaffected but additional staff will be on hand at some city centre stops.

TfGM’s Events Manager, Ryan Carter, said: “There has been a massive commitment made to cycling and walking over the past 12 months and Let’s Ride is another chance for Manchester to show we are pedalling in the right direction.

“It promises to be a great day but people should plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys regardless of whether they are taking part, spectating or simply travelling around the local area.

“We have worked closely with event organisers and transport operators to ensure that everyone gets to their destination as quickly as possible and we will be monitoring the transport network from our 24 hour Control Centre. I’d encourage people to keep an eye on our website and Twitter account for the latest travel information and advice.”

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.

Roadworks - The Quays Loop Road - MediaCityUK, Salford

All, a message from Salford City Council:

Temporary traffic signals will be in operation from Monday 25 June 2018 between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm for a period of up to three weeks on the following section of highway: 

• The Quays Loop Road, Salford. 

The temporary signals are required to enable the construction of a new pedestrian crossing. 

Some minor delays can be expected.

See below map or click here for map details

Free tram travel on Clean Air Day for early birds and night owls

Early risers and evening commuters will be able to help reduce air pollution with free Metrolink travel on Clean Air Day (Thursday 21 June 2018).

For one day only, anyone catching a tram before 7am or after 7pm can travel without buying a ticket.

The move, by Metrolink owner Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), is part of a drive to encourage people to think about changing travel habits to improve air quality.

TfGM is also encouraging employers to consider flexible start and end times for their staff so they can take advantage of the free travel offer.

Road transport is largely responsible for some of the most dangerous air pollutants in Greater Manchester, including nitrogen dioxide and particulates.

Vehicle exhausts can produce harmful gases and tiny particles of soot and other matter that cause health problems and harm our environment.

Metrolink, by contrast, is powered by green energy and trams are zero-emission at street level.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is backing the region’s second Clean Air Day, calling on people to pledge to make a change.

Pledges include leaving the car at home just one day a week, car-sharing when possible, working from home regularly, walking and cycling more – and encouraging friends to do the same.

Andy said: “It’s great to see Metrolink get on board the Clean Air Day campaign with this free travel offer.

“Short of cycling and walking, there’s no greener way to travel around Greater Manchester than by tram.

“We breathe in polluted air every day and we all need to take action to help change things. If everyone makes a small change it will add up to a very big difference for local air quality.

“I encourage drivers to take up this free travel offer on Clean Air Day to see if tram-travel is something that could work for them.”

TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, added: “Our trams are zero-emission at street level and are powered by electricity produced from modern, cleaner and greener sources such as wind-power.

“While services can get busy during peak times, this free travel offer is aimed at encouraging people to think about changing travel habits.

“Choosing to travel outside peak hours, when trams are less busy, can help reduce the peaks in air pollution caused by commuter car journeys, one of the main sources of air pollution.”

To find out more about Clean Air Day and make a pledge, visit www.tfgm.com/air. Follow #GMCleanAirDay on social media for the latest news on what’s happening in Greater Manchester.

For more information on Metrolink services visit www.tfgm.com, call Metrolink Customer Services on 0161 205 2000 or follow @MCRMetrolink on Twitter for live travel updates.

Metrolink expansion work to impact Eccles line

Work to deliver a bigger and better Metrolink network will result in some short term disruption to services on the Eccles line this summer.

The essential works, which will link the under-construction Trafford Park Metrolink line with the existing tram network at Pomona stop, will result in a 13-day closure of the Eccles line following the last service on Friday 27 July.

No tram services will run between Cornbrook and Eccles from Saturday 28 July to Thursday 9 August inclusive, while services from Ashton-under-Lyne will terminate at Deansgate-Castlefield.

The works will see a 350-tonne and a 100-tonne crane working on site to temporarily remove the overhead power lines before cutting out the old track plinths to the west end of the Pomona stop and replacing them with new ones. Rails will then be reinstalled and overhead lines put back in place.

During the works there will be a full bus replacement operating including additional services during peak times.

The closure will also enable Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to work with operator KeolisAmey Metrolink and other partners to carry out maintenance and repair works on the tram network and local area at the same time, minimising the overall impact to customers, local residents and businesses.

The works have been timed to coincide with school summer holidays when, traditionally, fewer people travel on the network. They have also been condensed into a single 13-day closure, preventing the need to close the line over multiple weekends.

Other measures taken to minimise disruption to customers and stakeholders include the use of noise blankets to limit the sound from loud machinery.

TfGM will keep customers and stakeholders updated with key information before, during and after the works. Extra staff will also be present in key locations such as nearby tram stops and at peak times to answer questions and help people get around.

TfGM’s Head of Projects Alex Cropper, said: “This work is a landmark moment for the future expansion of Metrolink as we look to connect the upcoming Trafford Park line with the rest of the tram network.

“Unfortunately it will result in some disruption for passengers for a short period of time – but we have done a lot of planning to keep customers informed and on the move during the process and to keep disruption to a minimum.

“We’ve also worked closely with partners to identify other essential enhancement works that they could carry out during this time, such as deep cleaning stops, which will benefit passengers.

“Once the new tram line through to intu Trafford Centre is open it will mean more frequent services and much improved access to jobs and leisure across the wider tram network.”

For more information on Metrolink services visit www.tfgm.com, call Metrolink Customer Services on 0161 205 2000 or follow @MCRMetrolink on Twitter for live travel updates.

Music and sport fans, make your travel plans

Manchester is gearing up for the biggest weekend of the year as a number of major music and sports events take place across the city.

A total of 350,000 people will be attending Taylor Swift concerts, the Parklife festival, Tyson Fury’s boxing match and Soccer Aid over the course of just three days.

The size and locations of the events mean that there’ll be a number of changes to public transport, including bus diversions and local road closures, however additional Metrolink services will run throughout the weekend.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has developed dedicated web pages, offering information and travel advice, and will be implementing a number of measures to help those travelling make their journeys as easy and as stress free as possible.

Taylor Swift kicks off the UK leg of her world tour with two dates at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, on Friday and Saturday night (5pm-10.30pm).

On Saturday (11am-11pm) and Sunday (12pm-11pm), Parklife returns to Heaton Park bigger and better than ever. Over 80,000 fans are expected on each day to see artists such as The xx, Skepta and world-famous Mancunian Liam Gallagher.

Across the city another world famous Mancunian, Tyson Fury, makes his long awaited return to the boxing ring on Saturday night at Manchester Arena (from 3.45pm). The former heavyweight champion of the world takes on Albanian Sefer Seferi, and is joined on the bill by Crumpsall’s Terry Flanagan.

The weekend is rounded off by the biennial charity football match, Soccer Aid taking place at Old Trafford (kick-off 8pm). The game will see big names from the worlds of football, music, film and TV competing in a match between the England and World XIs headed by Robbie Williams and Usain Bolt.

TfGM’s Events Manager, Ryan Carter, said: “We are expecting significant numbers of people to use public transport, so it’s important that people plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.

“Additional trams will run and we have worked closely with event organisers and transport operators to ensure that everyone gets to their destination as quickly as possible.

“In particular, we have coordinated with Parklife organisers to run a dedicated shuttle bus service from Aytoun Street in Manchester city centre to the festival site, and back again after it finishes.

“We’ll be monitoring the transport networks from our 24 hour Control Centre and I’d encourage people to keep an eye on our website and Twitter account for the latest travel information and advice.”

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.