2nd Local Transport Plan Progress Report

6.3 Future Plans

6.3.1 The remaining priorities for the LTP2 period are:

• To use the experience of the QBC programme to improve bus routes elsewhere in the county
• To improve the public transport product in the key corridors from Manchester to Oldham-Rochdale, Leigh-Salford, Droylsden and Chorlton
• To support the development of Media City
• To continue to tackle congestion on the identified key routes and the network as a whole

To use the experience of the QBC programme to improve bus routes elsewhere in the county

6.3.2 On the bus network, we need to continue  with on-highway improvements, now that the Quality Bus Corridor programme is drawing to a close. On average only 36% of routes have actually been treated with bus priority or other QBC related measures, leaving two thirds without the benefit of improvements. The “whole-route” concept of delivering end to end priority is still to be achieved with subsequent impacts on end to end route benefits.

6.3.3 As part of the evaluation of the QBC programme we carried out Whole Route Reviews of ten key bus corridors.  In addition to evaluating work that had already been carried out, action plans were produced to identify future work that could be carried out, subject to funding. These plans were developed in partnership between GMPTE and the highway authorities. Detailed proposals are now being drawn up for further consultation.

6.3.4 Off bus ticketing has been identified as a way of speeding up bus journeys, potentially by as much as 6.6% in the morning peak. We have introduced a number of ticket machines on a trial basis during 2008 and more will be introduced if they prove successful.

6.3.5 Other authorities e.g. Oldham and Tameside are planning to pursue similar bus lane enforcement measures to those piloted by Manchester City Council, particularly on Quality Bus Corridor routes.

To improve the public transport product in the key corridors from Manchester to Oldham-Rochdale, Leigh-Salford, Droylsden and Chorlton

6.3.6 Construction of the Leigh-Salford-Manchester QBC major scheme, which includes a segregated busway is, subject to funding, due to commence in late 2009 and become operational in early 2012.

6.3.7 The Metrolink track within Manchester city centre has been operational since 1992 and some sections, particularly tight curves and road crossings are showing signs of wear to the extent that renewals are now required.  This is essential to maintain service reliability on the existing routes, as well as for accommodating the extensions planned under phases 3A and 3B.  Significant sections of the track in the city centre were replaced in Autumn 2008 and more will be done during Spring 2009. A further programme of replacing the remainder of the city centre track will be progressed before the commencement of phase 3B services.

6.3.8 In 2006, DfT gave its final approval for a £575 million expansion of Metrolink. This will enable us to deliver the first phase of the expansion of the network, to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden and Chorlton (Phase 3a). The 22 km extension to Oldham and Rochdale will replace the existing railway line which links the two towns with Manchester; the 6.4 km extension to Droylsden will serve New East Manchester, the City of Manchester Stadium, and the Velodrome; and the 2.9 km extension to Chorlton follows a section of disused railway line between Trafford Bar and St Werburgh's Road. The new lines will begin operating in 2011.

6.3.9 The new Metrolink lines (including to Media City, see below) are expected to take five million car journeys off local roads every year, and to increase the number of trips passengers make on the network each day from 55,000 to more than 90,000.

6.3.10 Funding for the second phase of expansion, into Oldham and Rochdale town centres, Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport (Phase 3b) is dependent on the Transport Innovation Fund bid.

To support the development of Media City

6.3.11 Media City which will bring 15,500 jobs and £1bn to the regional economy. In order to minimise potential congestion, more than £19 million is being made available by Salford, Peel Media and NWDA for the extension and additional trams. This will not only support that development, but will provide a stop within a short walk of the Lowry. Following approval, work will start in 2009 and be complete in 2010.

6.3.12 Consultation has taken place on the proposal to build a new 0.4km extension from the Eccles line to the heart of the MediaCity:UK development in Salford Quays. GMPTE were originally granted Powers to extend the Eccles line to the Lowry, but funding has never been available. A new Transport and Works Act application has been made and a decision is anticipated soon.

To continue to tackle congestion on the identified key routes and the network as a whole

6.3.13 As outlined previously, work will continue to limit congestion on the 15 target routes in the Congestion Target Delivery Plan, on implementing the UTC major scheme and the roadworks and events database, and on investigating the potential use of number plate recognition systems for congestion management. Future measures will learn from the pilot measures being implemented at present.

6.3.14 The Regional Centre Transport Strategy (RCTS) will be redrafted and finalised by January 2009.

6.3.15 The UTC major scheme will continue:

• SCOOT works planned for 2008/09 include five routes in Manchester, four in  Bolton, and one in each of Salford and Wigan.
• Traffic Signal Junction Renewals are planned at 100 junctions that have obsolete equipment or controllers that are planned for upgrading. GM districts are being consulted on exact requirements. The intended target is for a start on 40 sites in 2008/9. 
• 160 to 200 pelicans will be upgraded to puffins and have new equipment installed.

6.3.16 The remaining GM authorities should be connected to the UTC Roadworks and Events database by Spring 2009. Subject to agreement by GM authorities, access to the system for other users (e.g. emergency services and Traffic Information providers) should be possible by summer 2009.

6.3.17 Further discussions on collaborative working between partners (local authorities, GMPTE, GMP and Highways Agency) will aim to address some of the key problems associated with strategic traffic management.

6.3.18 Given the strategic nature of the A57 Corridor which carries traffic from outside Greater Manchester into the conurbation including the City Centre and the particular problems of congestion that occur, AGMA Executive Board agreed at its meeting on 31 October 2008 that if TIF goes ahead then a strategic review of the transport issues in the corridor would be undertaken to establish a package of transport measures which would fall to be considered for funding from the LTP integrated transport block

6.3.19  The following rail schemes to boost the use of rail in key congested corridors are also planned up to the end of March 2011:

• An extension to the car park to encourage Park and Ride at Lostock station, having reached agreement between Northern Rail, Bolton and GMPTE on a preferred option
• An investigation into the suitability of the Marple line for tram-train operation
• A proposal to increase passenger capacity at Salford Crescent Station in conjunction with Network Rail and develop a  new bus-rail interchange on the A6 linking the station to this major bus corridor. It is proposed that the station redevelopment will take place during Network Rail’s Control Period 4 from 2009 -14.

6.3.20 We will also continue working closely with Northern Rail, and Network Rail to review timetables, identify causes of poor performance and agree actions to improve performance.

6.3.21 Twelve trams, providing much needed additional capacity, have  been ordered and are due to be delivered during 2009.

6.3.22 In the longer term we aim to increase the capacity of Metrolink lines running through Manchester city centre and will be consulting on alternative alignments for a 'Second Manchester City Centre Crossing' prior to an application being submitted for Transport and Works Act powers. Work will also continue on proposals to extend Metrolink to Stockport.

6.3.23 We have developed a joint GMPTE / Tameside scheme to rationalise car parking at Stalybridge and increase the number of spaces available. This will also include pedestrian improvements, taxi drop off / kiss and ride. Work is expected to take place in 2008/09. This complements other improvements at Stalybridge designed to increase patronage on this corridor.

6.3.24 Smarter choices measures to influence travel behaviour are likely to become more important in future, both as a way of tackling congestion and also to deliver other government objectives. As the number of Travel Plans being sought through the planning process is constantly increasing, the need to monitor and enforce these Travel Plans is becoming more of an issue. This will also help demonstrate that smarter choices can be a cost-effective tool to help achieve a more sustainable transport system.

6.3.25 In particular we have plans to extend partnership working with area-wide travel plans, based on the success of similar initiatives implemented to date. Specific proposals include plans for:

• Middlebrook, Parklands, and proposals for Cutacre and Horwich Loco Works in Bolton,
• Manchester Fort, Spinningfields, the Arndale Centre and One Central Park in Manchester,
• Ashton Moss, Tameside
• Trafford Park, Trafford
• Area-wide visitor travel plan, Rochdale

6.3.26 We also want to explore Individualised Travel Marketing (ITM) projects, after trials in the DfT's Sustainable Travel Demonstration Towns demonstrated significant reductions in car use. The first ITM pilot study, jointly funded with GMPTE, will target 200 households in Hazel Grove.

6.3.27 School Travel Planning will continue to play an important role in addressing the aims of the Every Child Matters agenda.  The Government aims for every child to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being. As well as this the BSF/PFI programmes, extended schools and the 14-19 agenda are all issues where sustainable travel to school needs to be embedded in future. However higher level internal linkages between Local Authorities departments on these issues is required to ensure this is achieved from the outset.

6.3.28 Defra’s Sustainable Development Strategy (2005) also places an emphasis on the development of ‘Sustainable Schools’, where travel to school will have a part to play in achieving their priority to improve health by encouraging and supporting healthy lifestyles. Similar to the Eco-schools and Healthy Schools agendas, where good partnerships have been formed in many Local Authorities to achieve results. Stockport are launching a multi-media project with a number of secondary schools who are going to produce work to promote sustainable travel. Pupils are doing a range of projects including producing TV commercials, radio commercials, drama and magazines; local media will be used to promote the work upon completion.

6.3.29 DfT funding for School Travel Advisors runs out in 2010, by which time all schools are expected to have travel plans. However there will still be a need to continue with this area of work in order to monitor the plans and implement measures to achieve modal shift. A number of Districts have included NI 198 (Children travelling to school - mode of travel usually used) within their LAAs, which will ensure that a high priority will continue to be given to this work.

6.3.30 It is encouraging that car use to primary schools has reduced below our target which was to stabilise levels. However, it is disappointing that car use to secondary schools has not fallen in line with our predictions. We are investigating this and will identify and implement remedial measures over the remaining LTP2 period.

6.3.31 We aim to expand and co-ordinate shared resources (such as the school travel website) for all Greater Manchester authorities, to provide good value for money.

6.3.32 We will continue to build on information and sharing networks for travel planning, including attending the proposed ACT TravelWise organised regional meetings to bring together Travel Plan officers from across the North West.

6.3.33 A new development for the future is that of station travel plans. In an initiative being led by the Association of Train Operating Companies, travel plans will be drawn up for 31 stations across England in an attempt to encourage passengers to arrive at the station by non car modes. Hazel Grove is one of these stations, and the intention is to implement measures from April 2009.

6.3.34 An online version of the Freight Drivers' Map will be provided, linked to the websites of the trade associations.

6.3.35 The Freight Quality Partnership has been considering the inappropriate use of Satnav guidance systems, intended for private car use, by HGV drivers, and is keen to see the introduction of  HGV-specific applications and work is anticipated with Ordnance Survey on the provision of information for such applications.