The SEMMMS Programme

The South East Manchester Multi-Modal Strategy contains a package of measures, which, over a 20 year period of delivery, will provide a balanced set of travel alternatives needed for the area. The main elements of the strategy are:

  • Better use of road space
  • Transport change
  • Freight
  • Urban regeneration
  • Improvements in network maintenance and safety
  • Improvements to public transport
  • Better interchange
  • Rail service improvements
  • Light rail extensions

Throughout the LTP2 period, the authorities in the SEMMMS area ( Cheshire C.C, Derbyshire C.C, Manchester C.C, Stockport M.B.C, Tameside M.B.C, and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and Executive) will be focusing on the development and implementation of both major and minor elements of the strategy. This time will also be used to develop proposals for the Metrolink development through Stockport and the larger rail proposals.

The integrated transport package and the travel change elements will be continuing themes throughout the process. Early wins are possible within the existing conditions but major changes (for example the New Relief Road Scheme , completion of the QBC package and the Rail and Metrolink schemes) will all provide further opportunities for travel change and reallocation of road space to more sustainable modes.

Part of the work planned will be the continuation of improvements to the A6 corridor from Manchester to the edge of the Derbyshire SEMMMS area. This work includes improvements to bus stops including higher kerb levels for low-level buses and Real Time Information for bus routes between Derbyshire and Manchester, via co-operative working between the GMTPE, Cheshire County Council and Derbyshire County Council.

Changes such as these will help not only to take forward the targets set within the SEMMMS Plan but also many of the targets set at local and government level within  LTP2.

The SEMMMS implementation plan 2006/7 – 2010/11 describes the work program in more detail and identifies the funding amounts allocated for each area in line with the identified funding made available for SEMMMS. A copy of this plan can be found in the LTP2 Annex.

 

 

Statement

Improving Travel on the A6 Through Stockport

Access improvements for disabled people, A6 corridor

Introduction

A comprehensive set of improvements will make it easier to travel along the A6, which links Derbyshire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester.

Current Problems and Issues

  • Congestion, especially in peak periods, giving rise to unreliable journey times, especially by bus.
  • Road safety problems, especially pedestrian casualties due to the retail and service outlets either side of the road in built up areas.

Proposed approach

All traffic signal junctions have been upgraded, which has helped reduce congestion for the benefit of all road users. More pedestrian crossings have been installed to improve safety and make crossing the road easier and thus tackling the problem of severance of communities.. Cycling facilities are being enhanced, particularly to improve priority and safety. More lay-bys for servicing and residents parking will be  provided which also assist traffic flow.

All bus stops are being provided with raised kerbs, where physically possible, to make getting on and off the bus easier particularly for those with buggies or having impaired mobility.

In many areas bus shelters have been installed, again where physically possible, to provide passengers with a safe, dry and well-lit place to wait for their bus. Work is under way to extend the installation of real-time passenger information along the length of the A6 south of Hazel Grove into Cheshire and Derbyshire.

Bus operators have also been improving their services by introducing higher-capacity vehicles, which are also less polluting, and introducing buses which have low floors specially designed to work with raised kerbs. The average age of vehicles using this Corridorwill continue to reduce as older vehicles are phased out.

Overall, the expected result is a more attractive, easily accessible and reliable bus service.

Bus routes that are benefiting from these new improvements include local services between Manchester City Centre and Hazel Grove and also those that run through Disley in Cheshire and Buxton in Derbyshire. These routes include the Trans-Peak service between Manchester and Nottingham and the frequent Buxton-Disley-Stockport-Manchester Airport service.

Funding Sources

Councils in Cheshire, Stockport, and Derbyshire have been working alongside Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, using a mixture of SEMMMS and LTP Integrated Transport Block resources and other funds. Investment that started during LTP1 will continue in LTP2.

Targets and Objectives Met

These works will contribute in particular to meeting our targets on BV99 road safety, BV102 bus patronage, BV104 bus satisfaction, LTP2 cycling, LTP5 bus reliability, LTP6 peak traffic to town centres, LTP7 congestion, LTP8 air quality, LTP10 accessible infrastructure, LTP11 walking and LTP12b modal split to key centres.

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