Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The report provides information about the proposed process to develop the Fourth Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan which will be developed by Transport for Greater Manchester on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The first element of this work is the development of an overarching long term strategy and as part of the development of the strategy Transport for Greater Manchester is consulting on a document ‘Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 Our Vision’.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 Our Vision and support the document, together with the principle of a longer term strategy document and supporting five years delivery plan.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email: sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing information about the proposed process to develop the Fourth Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan which would be developed by Transport for Greater Manchester on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The first element of this work was the development of an overarching long term strategy and as part of the development of the strategy Transport for Greater Manchester was consulting on a document entitled ‘Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 Our Vision’.

The document was the starting point in the development of a new transport strategy for Greater Manchester. It set out a vision for the transport network that it was believed Greater Manchester needed by 2040 to support economic growth and prosperity, to enable everyone to benefit from that prosperity and to safeguard the environment for current and future generations.

Simon Warburton, Head of Policy and Research at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), also attended the meeting to make a presentation on this issue and respond to questions from Members.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         In response to a Member’s question regarding the need for proposals beyond the boundary of Greater Manchester, Members were advised that Rail North and Transport for the North had been established. The emerging Northern Transport Strategy was being overseen by Transport for the North.

·         A Member expressed concern that older people would not be persuaded to use public transport more unless there was increased connectivity, particularly in more rural areas. Nevertheless the free concessionary travel for senior citizens in Greater Manchester had resulted in increased usage of public transport.

·         The aim in the document for all journeys of up to two kilometres (just over a mile) to be undertaken on foot was optimistic.

·         There needed to be a transport system that did not disadvantage any people, for example in accessing health services.

·         A Member was sceptical how the control over bus routes could be re-established when so many bus routes had been lost in the borough since the deregulation of bus services.

·         The difficulties in introducing a travel smart card in Greater Manchester and the recent termination of the agreement with the current partner were highlighted.

·         There had been a significant increase in the use of electric vehicles in Greater Manchester from a low base.

·         TfGM were looking at examples from a number of city regions around the world to identify innovative solutions to transport challenges and to better integrate transport modes into the seamless, accessible and efficient network required by a leading European city region.

·         TfGM had successfully made the case for investment through initiatives such as the Growth Deal.

·         With regard to the section on the Atlantic Gateway, Transport for the North was looking at the issue of freight with opportunities to use the Manchester Ship Canal and develop the transportation of freight from the Port of Liverpool. Changes in shipping patterns driven by the widening of the Panama Canal and the planned completion of deeper water container berths at the Port of Liverpool had meant that Liverpool was expected to at least double its share of the container market, and this offered new opportunities for Greater Manchester via the Manchester Ship Canal.

·         The proposed City-to-City links would potentially increase pollution as local links to the motorway network were improved. In response to a Member’s question, the Corporate Director confirmed that the Government had approved expenditure on a business case for the extension of the A555 from the M60 at Bredbury to the A6 at Hazel Grove.

·         A Member expressed the view that the proposals for HS3 rail services were potentially more important than those for HS2.

RESOLVED – That support be given for the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 Our Vision, along with the principle of a longer term strategy document and supporting five year delivery plan.