Cross-boundary issues

Fig 4.11 shows the number of journeys to work across Greater Manchester's boundaries.

Contacts and discussions with adjoining local transport authorities have identified the following transportation issues that will need to be addressed during the LTP2 period:

Table 4 Cross Boundary Issues by Authority Area

Authority

Issue

Action to resolve

Blackburn with Darwen

Peak hour commuting effects on A666 and capacity on rail service from Clitheroe and  Blackburn to Bolton and the Regional Centre

Address by Blackburn-Bolton-Manchester Corridor Partnership. Examination of potential for increased train capacity with Northern Rail and as part of RUS

Merseyside LTP authorities

Capacity of Manchester Rail Hub

Also a Greater Manchester countywide issue. Major investment to resolve it seems unlikely to be forthcoming within the LTP2 period, despite the clear case for it, but opportunities may exist to recast services in ways which create more capacity and serve proposed land use patterns in the sub-regional strategy. Needs better definition of problem and investigation by a regional body given its likely importance in the RSS

M62 traffic levels M62 Route Action Study under way by NWDA. Need for further regional level study to establish effect of development strategies over the length of the route.
Improved public transport access from Greater Manchester to Liverpool John Lennon Airport Potential interchange between Manchester trains and airport bus links at Liverpool South Parkway interchange (currently under construction), subject to train operators agreeing the additional stop; provision of direct coach links if the latter cannot be achieved.
Accessibility to local facilities in Greater Manchester and Warrington Accessibility Strategy and integrated ticketing. Discussions with developers and promoters.
Parkside Intermodal Freight scheme Need to ensure good public transport access and that general traffic is routed on the motorway. Discussions with developers and promoters.
Headbolt Lane (Kirkby) electrification scheme offers potential of low cost extension to Wigan via Rainford Investigation of recovery of superseded electrical equipment from SE England

Warrington

Capacity of Manchester Rail Hub(see above)

See above
Strategic park and ride concept around motorway box to secure more efficient use of Highways Agency roads and reduce congestion between them A study is needed at a regional level to consider the cross-boundary effects. GMPTE is currently undertaking a park and ride study within Greater Manchester in response to proposals from Stagecoach.
Weak rail links between Warrington and Wigan; rail service determined by other destinations. Ongoing discussions with rail operators and SRA/DfT, particularly regarding relationship with Golborne Station proposal. Scale of finance unlikely to be sufficient to address this, if new capacity required
Omega development proposal Should the development go ahead at the scale planned, there is a need to ensure that the scale of highway impacts and public transport access needs is recognised as wider than the Warrington LTP area and that the developer(s) provides the necessary level of funding.  For example, the current proposed public transport framework does not include and infrastructure in Greater Manchester, yet there be a need for improvments to local bus services to Wigan

Lancashire

Preston-Chorley- Greater Manchester rail services: train frequency, peak overcrowding, and platform lengths

Corridor in forthcoming review of Northern franchise and preparation of RUS. May need consideration of additional rolling stock and platform lengthening issues.

M61 Corridor capacity management Highways Agency network management and proposed HOV lane. Needs relating to park and ride strategy.
Local train services Preston- Wigan- Warrington corridor See above
Further QBC corridors eg Wigan - Skelmersdale At initial proposals stage
Wigan – Southport rail service and facilities Community Rail Partnership set up to promote line.
Improved rail services from East Lancashire to Greater Manchester

See Blackburn with Darwen
Improve attractiveness of express bus services from East Lancashire to Greater Manchester Operator investment in quality vehicles to be maintained and delay points addressed. Study with Lancashire CC, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Highways Agency ongoing to assess potential highway improvements to assist bus operations.
Accessibility to local facilities either side of the boundaries, with seamless public transport journeys. See Merseyside

Cheshire

SEMMMS proposals

Funding has now been separately identified for SEMMMS minor works proposals in the last local transport settlement. As regards the SEMMMS Relief Road major scheme ,it has been placed in the top quartile of regional priorities ,and  the SEMMMS area authorities and Cheshire will need to progress the case for PFI funding to supplement that already identified in the RFA

Smartcard/Cheshire Travelcard interface – possible extension of latter into SE Greater Manchester

Cheshire/GMPTE discussions

Alderley Edge bypass effects on Greater Manchester. (Improved access to Astra Zeneca employment opportunities, but potential increased inward car commuting)

 Linked to SEMMMS programme

Scheme appears in top quartile of RFA prioritisation, and is therefore likely to be constructed subject to resources. Effects on Greater Manchester roads would need to be kept under review with regard to the desirability of modal shift

Public transport access to Manchester Airport from Cheshire, and to Greater Manchester as part of the City Region Sub-Regional Statement

Development  of schemes eg Crewe gateway and further promotion of travel plan activities. Provision of third platform at Manchester Airport Rail station.

Consideration of how transport improvements in Cheshire could feed into and support the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Corridors

Derbyshire/ Peak District National Park

Traffic impact , speed and safety for both motorised and non-motorised users.

Travel behaviour.

Better rail routes and services.

Improved local and long distance bus/coach services

Standard of the A57/A628/A616 core trunk road across the National Park

See separate South Pennines Integrated Transport Strategy ( SPITS) statement.

Continued joint working of SEMMMS authorities

West Yorkshire LTP authorities

Cross boundary rail ticketing

Revenue issue. Support principle of smoothing  rail fare changes.

Lack of rolling stock capacity Joint PTE solution required owing to absence of funding from Northern Rail and DfT. Capacity of Class 185 new trains will need to be kept under review.
Trans- Pennine route capacity, to assist Manchester-Leeds access as part of Northern Way strategy No prospect of major funding. Northern Way transport budget may assist. Platform extensions study on Todmorden - Manchester route.
Loading gauge restriction for containers Maintain pressure for loading gauge enhancement to accommodate 9'6" high containers
South Yorkshire LTP authorities Access between Manchester and Sheffield core cities in context of Northern way initiative Advocacy to improve South Trans-Pennine rail services and consideration of road links, via the SPITS working arrangements
 

 

 

Cross Boundary Journeys to Work

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