Don’t abandon your bike to the shed this winter! Get Winter Ready

If you’ve been reaping the health benefits of cycling all year, enjoying that extra couple of quid in your pocket at the end of the month and sailing past queues of traffic each morning, don’t let the winter weather slow you down.

We will be at three locations in North, Central and South Manchester this coming Saturday to help get you and your bike get Winter Ready, just in time for the clocks going back.

Take your bike in for a free maintenance check, get safety tips and advice, take advantage of shop discounts and cycling freebies and enter a prize draw.

If this is your first winter on two wheels or you worry about riding on the roads, book onto a one-to-one training session at tfgm.com/cycling to boost your confidence. You will also find our maintenance courses there too—handy if you find yourself with a flat tyre on a dark evening!

We’d love to hear about what you’re doing to help your colleagues get Winter Ready. Let us know by dropping an email to cycling@tfgm.com to feature in our next newsletter. You can also share your plans on social media using #WinterReady

Central Manchester

Cycle Republic
4-10 London Road
Picadilly
Manchester
M1 3AN

Sign up

South Manchester

Ken Foster's Cycle Logic
374 Barlow Moor Rd
Chorlton
Manchester
M21 8AZ

Sign up

North Manchester

Petrus Bike kitchen
Unit 29-30 Market Place
Rochdale Shopping Centre
Rochdale
OL16 1BA

Sign up

Early Christmas present as Metrolink roadworks lifted at intu Trafford Centre

Christmas has come early with the completion of the first phase of highway works for the new Trafford Park Metrolink line at intu Trafford Centre.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has unveiled a new temporary road layout at Peel Circle and removed roadworks to help visitors travelling around TRAFFORDCITY from now until New Year – a busy time for retail and leisure.

Work to construct the new Trafford Park Metrolink line will press ahead at other key locations along the route as well as on land at intu Trafford Centre which is off the road.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “Construction of the Trafford Park line is progressing at quite a pace.

“However, we have purposely scheduled our work to help visitors and businesses close to intu Trafford Centre at this busy time of year. We’ve opened newly-constructed lanes and removed temporary traffic lights in the immediate area.

“Anyone travelling to the area to shop, dine, attend an event or ski should be aware that there is a new temporary road layout at Peel Circle to help improve the flow of traffic.”

A plan of the new temporary road layout close to EventCity, Barton Square and intu Trafford Centre, is available on the Trafford Park line webpage.

Alison Niven, Regional Centre Director for intu Trafford Centre, said: “We’re approaching our busiest eight weeks of the year, with shoppers travelling from across the UK to enjoy a day of Christmas shopping, dining and leisure attractions.

“Therefore we’re pleased to have worked closely with TfGM and their contractor M-Pact Thales to arrange the resequencing the construction work and minimise the effect on the roads until the New Year, providing an easier approach for shoppers during this peak period.

“We look forward to the opening of the new Metrolink line in 2020 – it’s going to be new, frequent and convenient travel option for our 30 million annual visitors and 8,000 retail colleagues.”

Sean Anstee, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “The council is in support of any scheme that helps businesses in the borough, especially in the run up to the festive period. This is a critical trading time, so we welcome the removal of the roadworks and look forward to the next phase of construction starting.”

The next phase of Metrolink construction affecting highways close to intu Trafford Centre will start in January 2018.

TfGM is working with M-Pact Thales and WSP to deliver the Trafford Park Line Metrolink extension which is planned to be complete in 2020.

The £350 million Metrolink project – which includes a £20 million contribution from Trafford Council – will support regeneration and economic growth by improving public transport access to employment, business, retail and leisure opportunities in the Trafford Park area and beyond.

The six-stop line will also take in other major visitor attractions including Old Trafford football stadium, the Imperial War Museum North and EventCity.

Your boots are made for walking this autumn

Greater Manchester’s first ever autumn Walking Week runs from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 29 October, offering more than 100 free guided walks to choose from across the region.

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

The event’s calendar features many expert-led walks, catering to a variety of interests and themes for all ages and abilities.

For adults looking for a challenge, there are lots of trails to pique their interest, be it getting out and about with Mountain Rescue teams, giving Nordic walking a go or getting up into the hills for spectacular views.

There’s also a selection of guided walks designed to entertain the family. From trick or treat treks to welly walks, there’s plenty to keep little ones occupied during the half-term break.

The full list of walks can be found at the Greater Manchester Walking Week webpage.

Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, said: “The Mayor’s aim is to make Greater Manchester the best place to live and we can do this by enabling people to walk more short journeys.

“Walking briskly for 20 minutes a day can add up to seven years to your life and if we start to switch short car journeys for walking we can help to cut congestion and improve the air we breathe.

“I hope that by encouraging people to get involved in TfGM’s Greater Manchester Walking Week, they will be inspired to continue walking regularly after the event has ended.”

TfGM’s Interim Head of Active Travel, Sam Coppin, added: “I’m delighted that we’re launching the first Greater Manchester autumn Walking Week this month. The event aims to get as many people as possible across the region to find out how easy – and enjoyable – walking can be. No special equipment is required when it comes to walking, you can even pop out on your lunch break and get active.

“Autumn is heralded for its beauty as the landscape changes colour, so this is the perfect time for people to explore and experience everything Greater Manchester has to offer. The walks, which cater for a variety of abilities and ages, also provide the chance to meet new people.

“I’d like to thank all our walking partners and walk leaders, many of whom are voluntary, who run all the walks and make this event possible.”

Funded by the Department of Transport, the Greater Manchester Walking Week and annual Walking Festival is part of TfGM’s Active Travel programme, encouraging people to walk more as part of their daily routine.

Printed brochures will be available from a wide range of places, including TfGM travel shops, leisure centres and libraries, in the next few weeks.

Visit www.tfgm.com/walking for more details and keep up to date via the TfGM Walking Facebook page, or search for the #GMWalking hashtag on Twitter.

Customers advised of public transport changes this weekend

Transport bosses are asking people to plan their travel in advance this weekend as scheduled improvement works result in changes to bus and tram services.

On Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October, the full length of the Leigh to Ellenbrook guided busway will be closed to enable improvement work to take place safely and efficiently.

This means that they’ll be no Vantage services operating on the busway between East Bond Street in Leigh and Newearth Road in Salford and Vantage V1 and V2 services will operate via local road diversion routes.

Alternative bus stops will be in use and their locations will be signed, however, the interchange on Astley Street in Tyldesley will remain open. Works will be complete to allow services to operate as usual in time for the first bus on the morning of Monday 23 October.

Also this weekend, Network Rail and Metrolink improvement works mean there will be changes affecting services on the Bury, Rochdale, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines as well as some city centre services. Bus replacement services will run during these times. For more information, click here.

TfGM’s Transport and Event Planning Lead, John Fryer, said: “Essential improvement work on the guided busway and Mosley Street tram track, together with Network Rail’s works, will mean significant changes to Vantage and some Metrolink services this weekend.

“To help minimise disruption and ensure a smoother journey our advice is to plan ahead, be prepared, and think about all your travel choices. Customers should allow extra time to complete their journey.

“We strongly advise that people check the TfGM and Metrolink websites for regular service updates and information, or follow @OfficialTfGM, @FirstManchester and @MCRMetrolink on Twitter.”

Greater Manchester is also expected to be very busy on the following weekend (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October) with major sporting events, large participation runs, exhibitions and concerts scheduled to take place across a number of venues.

Cutting the commuting cost for Greater Manchester's apprentices

Greater Manchester’s apprentices can enjoy a cheaper commute, thanks to an offer from the region’s transport and political leaders.

The scheme, run by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), means apprentices based in the region can now receive a free bike or 28-day travel pass to help them on their trip to and from work.

Eligible apprentices, who can struggle with transport costs as they are not entitled to discounted travel, can apply for the free 28-day travel pass – valid on all Metrolink trams and most bus services within Greater Manchester.

For those who prefer their commute on two wheels, the Apprentice Bike to Work scheme provides a free refurbished bike, cycle training and bike maintenance courses from TfGM. The bikes also come with cycling accessories and safety equipment such as lights and helmets.

They are also entitled to a Personalised Travel Plan (PTP) which, by answering a few simple questions, will give them advice on the best way to commute to their workplace.

Councillor Sean Anstee, GMCA’s Vice Chair and Lead Member for Skills, Employment and Apprenticeships, praised the initiative: “Cost has been identified as the biggest barrier to travel in Greater Manchester for young people.

“This is amplified for apprentices, the majority of whom don’t receive discounted tickets and have to spend a significant proportion of their apprenticeship wage each day in order to travel between home and their workplace.

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to develop skills, earn a wage and achieve a qualification while working, but for some the cost prohibits this opportunity.

“This offer is an important step to balance out those travel costs whilst encouraging sustainable travel through the use of public transport or cycling.

“Cycling, in particular, is a healthy, low-cost and practical way of getting to work and key to reducing congestion and carbon emissions in the region.

“It’s simple for apprentices to apply for, and they even get to keep the bike once their apprenticeship has finished.”

All applications should be made through apprenticeship providers who are registered with TfGM. For more information about the scheme, including provider registration, please visit www.tfgm.com/apprentices.

Runners and residents advised to plan their journeys ahead of Manchester Half Marathon

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https://beta.tfgm.com/travel-updates/manchester-half-marathon

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is advising runners and spectators of the Manchester Half Marathon to plan their journeys ahead of the race this Sunday (15 October).

Residents of Trafford, Stretford and Sale are also advised to plan their travel that day as roads will be closed to become part of the course.

Around 12,000 runners are estimated to be taking part in the event, which starts at 9am on Bridgewater Way in Stretford, and finishes at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.

Roads will be closed and reopened throughout the day to accommodate the event, with the earliest closures starting at 5am and the latest around 6pm. Bus services will also be affected as they are diverted around the closed roads.

Metrolink trams are not affected and will be running as usual, but are likely to be busier than normal as people attend the event or seek to avoid the road closures.

People driving to the race are encouraged to take advantage of Greater Manchester’s free park and ride facilities and complete their journey by public transport.

TfGM has prepared detailed travel advice, including maps and journey planning. https://beta.tfgm.com/travel-updates/manchester-half-marathon  

Metrolink event staff will also be on hand to help customers with their travel needs. TfGM, Metrolink and the event organisers will also be using their social media accounts on the day to update passengers on any issues affecting travel.

TfGM’s Events and Operational Coordination Manager, Ryan Carter, said: “The Manchester Half Marathon is a superb event which attracts thousands of people and we want to ensure everyone gets to the starting line on time.

“We have been working closely with the organisers to get effective transport plans in place and minimise any disruption.

“Our advice is for people to plan their journeys and allow yourself a little extra time to get to your destination. We will be monitoring the event on the day to ensure it all goes smoothly – and the best of luck to everyone taking part.”

Sarah Bennett, Manchester Half Marathon’s, Race Director said: “I’d like to thank TfGM for their help organising the transport for the Manchester Half Marathon. I’d encourage everyone to take their advice and plan their journey so they can get to the right place at the right time.

“The course follows the Altrincham line of the Metrolink, which gives spectators the chance to catch the race at different parts of the course, but please be aware that this may mean the line is busier than normal at those stops.”

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.