Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is pivotal to regional growth and prosperity and is a key growth pole in the Northern Way  Aviation acts as a catalyst for economic regeneration and growth in those sectors most likely to improve regional competitiveness. Surface access is one of the four key capacity drivers along with airspace, runways and terminals; passengers and staff need choice, reliability, high service standards and value for money. The airport is a key node in the regional transport network for road, rail and coach. We noted in Chapter 2 that the transport networks serving the airport will need to cater for up to 38 million passengers and 28,000 employees by 2015. This will need a programme of management and investment to ensure that non-car modes play an increasing role, as sufficient capacity cannot be provided for a solely car-based solution. The Airport's Ground Transport Strategy sets out its approach and objectives.

Statement

Manchester Airport Ground Transport Strategy

The Station

Current Problems and Issues

Congestion on the major highway network will increase alongside the growth in passenger and staff numbers. Currently, over 40,000 vehicles access the airport on a busy day (resulting in 80,000 trips) and this could increase to over 50,000 vehicles (100,000 trips). The strategic road network cannot be expected to keep pace with such growth; especially given the continuing growth in non-airport road traffic.

Proposed approach

The Ground Transport Strategy addresses the surface access issues of a growing airport. It upholds the vision of an integrated public transport plan for passengers, employees and service partners. It looks forward to the challenges of reducing dependency on the private car by the development of more convenient, affordable public transport links.

Our Ground Transport objectives are:

  • Providing quality, choice and reliability
  • Increasing public transport use
  • Managing car demand and the growing pressure on transport infrastructure

We will achieve these by :

  • Increasing capacity on key transport routes
  • Extending our network of public transport services both in frequency and destination
  • Improving service quality and facilities
  • Proactively managing road traffic demand by passengers and staff
  • Developing new and innovative solutions eg further demand responsive schemes
  • Reducing the number of car journeys per air trip by offering alternatives to kiss and fly and private hire

We have a costed long term plan to further increase the use of public transport :

  • The Airport, GMPTE and Network Rail are developing plans for a third railway platform at the Airport's Station. This will allow longer trains, increase capacity and improve reliability. This platform is planned to open in 2008 to coincide with West Coast Main Line service improvements.
  • Work is also in hand to develop our Transport Innovation Fund bid, a key component of which is the extension of Metrolink to the Airport.  The line will provide a hugely improved access to the main staff catchment areas, and is expected to carry up to 8 million passengers per annum and remove 1.2 million car journeys, thereby relieving congestion on main and local roads into both the Airport and Manchester.
  • Quality Bus Corridor – high frequency routes, improved reliability to accommodate the Skyline services
  • The Airport will continue to fund local bus services and demand responsive transport (£265,000 per annum) where the commercial market does not provide services, especially for employees working on shifts outside of normal public transport operations (the Airport being a 24 hour, 7 day a week operation).
  • Employee travel planning initiatives will continue to be undertaken to encourage staff to travel by more sustainable modes.The role of cycling is pivotal for local employees; already 2% cycle to work. The Cycle Centre, located at the Station, is used not only by Airport employees but also nearby business parks, hospitals and schools.  The Airport encourages cycling for inbound and outbound air passengers, providing route information, bike and equipment hire, and establishing a network of safe and convenient cycling and walking routes within the Airport site. It is working with local authorities to improve access by cycle and foot to the Airport site.
  • The Airport will maintain taxi ranks outside each of the terminals for approved taxis and offer a choice of Airport approved taxis and other hired services for use on demand.
  • Improved rolling stock (new Transpennine Express  trains from 2006).
  • Other projects including the provision of real time information, increased marketing and travel awareness campaigns, and the development of remote check in facilities

Funding Sources

The strategy will be implemented using a mixture of LTP major scheme and Integrated Transport Block funding, Transport Innovation Fund and Manchester Airport's resources.

Targets and Objectives Met

In particular implementation of the Ground Transport Strategy will help achieve targets BV102 public transport patronage, LTP2 area wide road traffic, LTP7 congestion, LTP8 air quality, LTP12c modal split to the airport.

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