Greater Manchester set for £69.5m ‘world-class’ transport network
New Metrolink stops, rail stations and bus routes are all part of the plans for a multi-million transformation of Greater Manchester's transport system.
Mayor Andy Burnham has announced £69.5 million will be dedicated to turning the region’s transport network into a ‘world-class’ system.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will be considering the new strategy – which involves the renovation of local rail stations and adding more stops to the Metrolink service.
Improvements are also set to be made to bus networks, whilst additional electric vehicle charging points will be installed across all 10 boroughs.
The Mayor said the new network would help to reduce social isolation and “build stronger and better-connected communities” following the pandemic.
Burnham stated: “As we look forward to our recovery, I am determined to speed up the delivery on a world-class, integrated public transport system in Greater Manchester.
“This package of improvements is designed to do just that and lay further foundations for Our Network vision for public transport. It will bring new services to communities with some of the poorest links, as well as improving access for people where it is most needed.”
The funding is being proposed as:
£20m to develop quality bus transit schemes
£15m for a new rail station at Golborne
£7m contribution to the Network Rail Greek Street bridge project in Stockport.
£2.5m funding business cases for new rail stations and Metrolink stops
£2m investment in a new Travel Hub, including Park and Ride, at Tyldesley.
£10m in match funding for EV charging posts across all ten local authorities.
£3.3m for Access for All Funding for next priority stations, including Swinton.
Up to £10m for further scheme development
Leader of Wigan Council David Molyneux called the prospective new station at Golborne “superb news”.
“It will connect the town and the wider area with Wigan, Manchester, Cumbria and the airport, providing more opportunities for our residents, reducing traffic on local roads and regenerating Golborne’s economy,” said Molyneux.
“This is the result of a lot of hard work, including from the local community, and I want to thank everyone who pushed hard for this to become a reality. This isn’t the end of the process, we still need to make the business case to government and our partners, but this will mean we have the money to deliver if we get the go-ahead.”
The upcoming investment is set to be the biggest revamp of local transportation since the £243m Transforming Cities Fund was made available in March 2018 – a pot used to fund walking and cycling infrastructure within the Bee Network and new Metrolink trams.
The Greater Manchester 2040 Transport Strategy is also being republished – with an aim to make 50% of journeys in the city-region conducted via public transport, bike or foot within 19 years.
More information on the 2040 Transport Strategy is available online.
News
Tatton Park makes decision to temporarily close gate after visitor is attacked by rutting deer
Emily Sergeant
Tatton Park has made the decision to temporarily close one of its gates after a member of the public following a ‘recent change in deer activity’.
It comes after ‘a couple of injuries’ despite warnings and a large amount of signage across the park.
The decision to close the Knutsford gate had to be taken by Tatton management with input from Cheshire East Council’s health and safety manager, and its director of growth and enterprise, along with ‘expert advice’ from the leading deer vet who works across many deer parks in the UK.
The Knutsford gate will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles ‘until further notice’, but the Dog Wood entrance and the main Rostherne entrance will remain open.
Tatton Park cited a current ‘larger number’ of stags than usual found feeding on fallen acorns near the Knutsford entrance, and an overall ‘recent shift in our deer herd’s behaviour during the rutting season’ as the reason for the gate’s closure in a statement shared to social media this week.
Rutting season – which refers to the autumn deer breeding season, typically from late September to early November in the UK – is when deer herds may exhibit aggression if approached.
“If you come across wild deer whilst visiting, we strongly advise you take an alternative route,” the park said in its statement.
The park’s Operations Team added in a statement, as reported by the MEN: “Despite all warnings, a large amount of signage, staff being on hand to advise people to avoid the deer, and all efforts to try to re-route people and get them to stop approaching the deer, we have unfortunately had a couple of injuries.”
One of the ‘injuries’ referred to was an incident involving 67-year-old man named Rod Savage, who was reportedly hurled up in the air after a large stag suddenly appeared and charged at him with his antlers, puncturing his stomach.
Tatton Park temporarily closes its gate after a visitor is attacked by rutting deer / Credit: Diana Parkhouse (via Unsplash)
The terrifying ordeal happened just 300 yards inside the Knutsford entrance, contributing to the gate’s temporary closure.
Tatton Park has now issued warnings and advice to all future visitors.
People are being told to ‘never walk between the deer’ and ‘never put yourself between deer and a fence’, while always maintaining a safe distance of 50m or more when possible, and ultimately remaining vigilant and fully-aware of your surroundings at all times.
“We’ll be monitoring the situation daily and continue to provide updates,” the park concluded in its statement on social media.
“We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.”
Featured Image – Diana Parkhouse (via Unsplash)
News
Shocking new study reveals that almost 100 people a day are caught drink-driving
Emily Sergeant
Nearly 100 drivers a day in Britain have had ‘drink-drive endorsements’ added to their licences in the past three years, a shocking new study has revealed.
Alarmingly, it’s people between the ages of 25 and 39 that are the most frequently penalised for drink-driving – with around 48,000 drivers in this age bracket being handed endorsements, followed closely by 40,000 drivers aged 40 to 65.
In contrast, only 15,000 drivers aged 17 to 24 were penalised, and a mere 3,000 over-65s received points on their licence between 2022 and 2024.
It’s all according to a study by road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, using data obtained from the DVLA via a Freedom of Information request.
A shocking new study has revealed that almost 100 people a day are caught drink-driving / Credit: Pexels
Drivers caught over the alcohol limit face automatic licence revocation, potential imprisonment, and unlimited fines, while the endorsement remains on a driving licence for 11 years.
Another shocking revelation from the study is that fatalities linked to drink-driving have climbed over the past decade, peaking in 2022 at the highest level in 13 years – with the RAC saying this trend ‘raises alarms’ about the effectiveness of current road safety measures.
RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis called it ‘completely unacceptable’.
“These disturbing figures show the twin evils of driving under the influence of drink and drugs are behind a frightening number of lives lost on the UK’s roads every year,” he commented.
A third of Brits want police to immediately ban drink drivers at the roadside / Credit – Vladimir Proskurovskiy (via Unsplash)
“A new approach to tackling these repugnant crimes is desperately needed. We hope this will be a key part of the Government’s forthcoming road safety strategy, [as] we’ve consistently been calling for a change in approach when it comes to reducing alcohol-related road deaths, as it’s clear the status quo isn’t working.”
The RAC has been campaigning for courts being given the powers to mandate the fitting of alcohol interlocks (‘alcolocks’) to offenders’ vehicles to prevent them driving drunk again.
It is also ‘supportive’ of the police being given the powers to immediately disqualify any driver who fails a drink or drugs test at the roadside.
The Manc -
22nd January 2021 
