Greater Manchester boasts world-class connectivity and infrastructure, which will be further strengthened by new devolution powers and Atom Valley.
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.
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.
Spreading world-class connectivity across all of Greater Manchester's boroughs will help reinvent the regional economy and support sustainable long-term growth.
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.
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.
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.
Greater Manchester's buses provide an opportunity to connect residential areas with schools, colleges and places of employment.
Rail and Metrolink services are set to be extended and overhauled, including a proposed new station at Middleton and the redevelopment of Bury Interchange.
To aid integrated modes of transport and ease congestion, highways will be revised. This will affect both town centres and arterial routes.
Located just 30 minutes away, Manchester Airport serves more than 190 destinations and flies over 27 million passengers annually.
