Transport

Greater Manchester boasts world-class connectivity and infrastructure, which will be further strengthened by new devolution powers and Atom Valley.

Connecting communities and careers

Catalyst for investment

Atom Valley’s global businesses and high-quality jobs are set to serve as a catalyst for additional investment in transport infrastructure. This will boost established links and develop new ones for residents and businesses alike. 

Catalyst for investment

Boosted by devolution powers

New devolution powers give local people greater say over decision making. Together with investment, this will further strengthen an already integrated, multi-modal transport network.

Boosted by devolution powers

Spreading world-class connectivity across all of Greater Manchester's boroughs will help reinvent the regional economy and support sustainable long-term growth.

Levelling-up and addressing the imbalance

Alongside Greater Manchester’s £1 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements and TfGM’s 2040 Transport Strategy, plans for Atom Valley are crucial to truly levelling-up and addressing the imbalance faced not just nationally, but also regionally.

Much of Greater Manchester already boasts high-level connectivity and infrastructure, with its airport, rail system and road network all providing a gateway to markets, partnerships and institutions. But for some areas, transport is still a stumbling block to opportunities and productivity. By developing new networks and further strengthening existing ones, both residents and business can realise the benefits of Atom Valley and take advantage of the opportunities created within the Mayoral Development Zone, as well as the entire city region.

Greater Manchester’s Bee Network will bring together rail, trams, buses as well as cycling and walking. With local control and accountability at its heart, this will transform how people travel in and around Greater Manchester, delivering a simple, accessible and easy to use experience for everyone. For the northern part of Greater Manchester, this means significant improvements.

Informing the overall strategy is Greater Manchester’s long-term environmental ambition for carbon neutrality by 2038, with the impact of transport playing a vital role. At every stage of transport improvements, decision making takes into consideration the actions needed to protect people’s health, reduce air pollution and tackle the climate emergency.

Opening opportunities Opening opportunities

Opening opportunities

Investment will deliver faster and more affordable ways to travel, bringing communities closer together, improving quality of life and crucially allowing people to take advantage of the opportunities created within Atom Valley.

Sustainable Routes Sustainable Routes

Sustainable Routes

A range of active travel schemes will be developed, creating the UK’s largest cycling and walking network that supports an integrated and carbon-friendly transport system. Amongst these proposals, streets in Oldham town centre will be redesigned, with similar plans to enhance accessibility in Heywood and Middleton.

Buses

Greater Manchester's buses provide an opportunity to connect residential areas with schools, colleges and places of employment.

Routes, fares and services are all on the table, with planned bus corridors in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale offering rapid transit and quicker connectivity.
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Rail

Rail and Metrolink services are set to be extended and overhauled, including a proposed new station at Middleton and the redevelopment of Bury Interchange.

There's also plans in place to create a tram-train link between Oldham, Kingsway Business Park, Rochdale, Heywood, Northern Gateway and Bury.
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Road

To aid integrated modes of transport and ease congestion, highways will be revised. This will affect both town centres and arterial routes.

The new South Heywood Link Road is already open, linking the employment site directly to J19 of the M62. Improvements to Simister Island, as well as J2 and J3 of the M66 are also expected.
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Air

Located just 30 minutes away, Manchester Airport serves more than 190 destinations and flies over 27 million passengers annually.

The UK's third busiest airport unlocks global travel, with destinations including the US, Middle East, Beijing, Singapore and Hong Kong.
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