Bus Priority Package

5 July 2013

Phil Havenhand - TfGM

CityCo, Piccadilly Hoteliers Forum

Greater Manchester Strategic Context

Greater Manchester Transport Fund

• Boost employment by 20% by 2021 and grow the local economy by

£1.3bn pa by 2021

• Increase employment opportunities in deprived areas by 5%

• Net reduction in CO2 emissions

Transport Strategy for Manchester City Centre

• Increase the capacity of the public

transport network to enable an additional

30,000 morning peak time trips into the

City Centre

“Our plans aim to ensure that the one million commuters that work in Greater Manchester can access employment in the most efficient and sustainable way to enable Greater Manchester to fulfil its growth potential”

What are the benefits of the Bus Priority Package?

• Improvement of passenger travel experience - punctuality, reliability, frequency benefits and shorter passenger journey times;

• Improvement of routes to key locations – employment, education, health, leisure and retail destinations;

• Allow passengers to reach their destination in a single bus journey;

• Stimulate increased investment along the route and support current and emerging business and commercial markets;

• Reduce accidents and create a more scenic environment; and

• Minimise carbon impact of transport growth.

What is the Bus Priority Package?

• Over 25 miles of bus routes will be created or enhanced, funded through mixture of local funding contributions and DfT;

• Enabling infrastructure, to allow operators to run buses more reliably to and across Manchester city centre;

• Providing an increase in bus passenger capacity to meet economic growth needs in line with the Transport Strategy for Manchester City Centre;

• Includes Greater Manchester’s first guided busway; and

• Improvements to facilities for pedestrians and cyclists along the corridors.

Which areas are covered by the scheme?

• Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley

• Busway and A580

• A664

• Regional Centre

• Oxford Road Corridor

Oxford Road

Leigh

Rochdale

Atherton

Regional Centre

Key Regional Centre Proposals• Sections of Portland Street and Princess Street limited to buses, cycles, hackney

carriages and emergency vehicles only;

• Bus and cycle lanes as well as improved pedestrian crossing facilities;

• Traffic management measures to provide servicing and loading access to properties and access to car parks;

• Strategic signing strategy to direct drivers to business and leisure destinations;

• An improved environment for pedestrians and cyclists by removing through traffic from Portland Street and working with operators to improve the quality of buses;

• Increased direct access to Portland St bus stops for passengers from areas of north Manchester including Middleton and the west including Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Salford; and

• Upgraded bus stops to improve accessibility.

Public Consultation– 22nd May to 5th July 2013 • 45,000 leaflets have been delivered by Royal Mail within the scheme catchment area;

• Briefings are being provided to key stakeholders, including:-

a) local ward members

b) bus operators and cycling groups

c) taxi firms;

• Presentations will be delivered to a variety of groups such as Manchester Chamber of Commerce, CityCo Transport Group, Hoteliers Association, Chinatown Businesses;

• An interactive map and visual fly-through of the Oxford Road and Regional Centre proposals are available online;

• Facilities for members of the public and businesses to contact us directly to discuss the proposals, such as, public events, website, email and a dedicated telephone line;

• TfGM has promoted the consultation in advance, though a variety of media platforms to ensure that the consultation process is communicated to as wide an audience as possible – MEN, trade newsletters, bus stop information, on-street signs, digital screens, posters; and

• Our internet site will be regularly updated to reflect the consultation progress and provide more detailed plans and information. Consultation period extended to 5th July 2013

Questions?