Re-elected mayor Andy Burnham unveils plans for new transport network
On his first day of his second term, the mayor put forward plans to integrate buses with the Metrolink, bring trams to Middleton, and create hundreds of electric vehicle charging points across the region.
Andy Burnham has unrolled a new set of blueprints for a “revolutionary” local transport network following his re-election as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
The Labour candidate waltzed to a 67.3% landslide victory in the polls last week – receiving 473,024 votes to start a second term as leader of the region.
Speaking to press on Monday on his first official day as re-elected mayor, Burnham elaborated on his strategy to improve Greater Manchester’s public transport system – making it “more affordable and easier to use.”
The mayor is aiming to integrate GM buses with the Metrolink by 2024 – which could involve passengers having a single price-capped pass for both forms of transport.
Initial priorities include bringing the Metrolink to Middleton as part of a masterplan for the town centre: talks are being held with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
— Mayor of Greater Manchester (@MayorofGM) May 10, 2021
The mayor also pledged 95 new Electric Vehicle charging points by the end of the year, with plans for a further 200 in 2022.
A new Greater Manchester Bike Hire scheme is set to launch in November, with 100km of cycling and walking routes completed before January.
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Burnham revealed that negotiations are also underway with Network Rail to make all rail stations in the city-region accessible by 2025.
Addressing press on Monday (May 10), Burnham said that “people in Greater Manchester have made it clear that they won’t settle for second best any longer.”
He stated: “Across the world, the most successful city-regions have one thing in common – an affordable, integrated and accessible transport network.
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“… I’m vowing to accelerate the delivery of a world-class transport network for our city-region and its people. It is absolutely critical to our future economic and social prosperity.
“People here deserve a transport network where you can seamlessly travel across our city-region on buses, trams and trains – without spending a fortune each time.
“We will deliver this alongside hundreds of new Electric Vehicle charging points, a bike hire scheme and world-class cycling and walking corridors which will make everyday trips to school, to work and to the shops safe, easy and fun.
“This will benefit our people and our planet as we step up our plans for carbon neutrality.”
Burnham will chair the first meeting of the Bee Network – the new new name for Greater Manchester’s transport system – today.
Featured image: Mayor of Greater Manchester
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‘Groundbreaking’ new police team launches on Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world
Emily Sergeant
A ‘groundbreaking’ new policing model aimed at making the Bee Network one of the safest public transport networks in the world has launched.
Described as being ‘pioneering’, the first-of-its-kind approach – named the Transport Policing and Crime Command (TPACC) – will bring Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) even closer together to tackle crime, antisocial behaviour, and safety issues across the region’s transport network.
So, how will it work then? Well, according to TfGM, the command will ‘effectively establish’ the Bee Network as GMP’s eleventh policing district.
It will bring together up to 300 personnel, including new police officers, who are all involved in keeping the network safe and providing greater reassurance to passengers travelling across the region.
Efforts to keep passengers safe on buses, trams, active travel routes, and roads across Greater Manchester will be ‘strengthened’ through the new team – improving co-ordination in response to incidents, and helping to reassure communities.
A ‘groundbreaking’ new police team has launched on the Bee Network to make it one of the safest in the world / Credit: TfGM
The new team will also incorporate the existing Roads Policing Unit within GMP that includes specialist functions such as the Central Ticket Office, the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, the motorbike unit, the Commercial Vehicle Unit, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, and more.
Overall, the key focus of TPACC is to:
Increase public confidence on safety across the transport network
Reduce violence, antisocial behaviour and criminality across the transport network
Increase the number of users of the Bee Network across Greater Manchester
The launch of TPACC is said to represents ‘the next phase’ of Greater Manchester’s commitment to creating a ‘safer, more secure, and more welcoming’ transport network for everyone who lives, works, and travels across the region.
“I want a world-class Bee Network where everyone feels safe,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“Our new dedicated transport policing command will bring together more than 300 police and safety officers, with high-profile patrols across our roads and the Bee Network. It means a stronger presence in our communities and faster action when people need help.
“TPACC will also crack down on dangerous driving to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which have devastating consequences for families and communities.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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Two arrested after assaulting and burgling 90-year-old woman in Stockport suburb
Emily Sergeant
Two people have been arrested following reports of an assault and burglary at a 90-year-old woman’s home in a Stockport suburb.
While en-route to the incident in Heald Green – which was reported to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) at around 2:30am on 29 October – officers located the victim’s vehicle being driven by an unknown man.
The stolen vehicle made off from police before it lost control, went up a grass verge, and collided with a stationary vehicle.
Police confirmed that a white British man, aged 41, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of a burglary and serious assault, while a white British woman, aged 47, was also later arrested on suspicion of burglary and serious assault – with both remaining in custody for questioning.
The victim, a 90-year-old woman, was taken to hospital for treatment and is being supported by specialist officers, although luckily, her injuries are not life-threatening.
Enquiries are now ongoing, and officers are working to establish the full circumstances of the shocking incident.
“This was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for the victim, and we have specialist officers supporting her through this investigation,” explained Detective Inspector Craig Turner, from Stockport CID.
“This was a violent burglary and thanks to the brave victim reporting it, our officers made two swift arrests with the suspects taken into police custody to be interviewed.
“We believe this was a targeted attack and there is no wider risk to the community. Extra patrols of officers have been deployed to the area to offer reassurance to members of the community. Please let them know if you have any concerns.
“We are committed to tackling dangerous offenders and keeping our communities safe from harm.”
The Manc -
10th May 2021 
