Transport Funding Update Dec 2011
Friday 23rd December 2011
Government has recently confirmed funding for several transport schemes in Greater Manchester, including the £54m Cross City Bus scheme, Rochdale's new transport interchange and increase in parking provision at Horwich Parkway Rail Station.
The Cross City Bus project, developed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) in partnership with Manchester City Council, Salford City Council and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, will provide a package of improvements along three major bus routes:
Boothstown to Manchester via the A580 East Lancashire Road and A6 Broad Street/Crescent/Chapel Street
Middleton Bus Station to Manchester via the A664 Manchester New Road and Rochdale Road
East Didsbury to Manchester via Wilmslow Road and Oxford Road/Street.
A key aim of the scheme is to provide direct bus links across the city centre - so passengers will not have to change services or pay more than one fare - supported by infrastructure that will help to cut journey times and improve reliability. Work could start on the ground in 2012, with the project being delivered in phases and should be completed by 2015.
Rochdale's new £11.5 million transport interchange will be the first in Europe with integrated hydropower generation. The new interchange on Smith Street, next to the River Roch, will replace the existing bus station and will be next to the town centre Metrolink stop. For passengers, the new interchange will be a modern, striking landmark for the town centre, with improved passenger services and facilities, including electronic passenger information displays at stands. It is scheduled for completion by 2013.
TfGM has also been awarded funds to increase the total amount of parking available at Horwich Parkway Rail Station from 163 spaces to more than 250. The project will now be developed in full, with construction due to get underway in 2013.
Both the GMCA and TfGMC are however continuing to urge Government to fully fund the Northern Hub rail improvements, that could help unlock the economic potential of Greater Manchester and the other major cities of the North.
For more information on all matters transport in Greater Manchester , check www.tfgm.com or www.tfgmc.gov.uk
