Some bikes are now allowed on trams in Greater Manchester from this week, as a ‘supervised trail’ has now been launched.
Passengers who regularly use the Metrolink will know that folded bikes in bags have been permitted on trams in the region under the current rules for quite some time now, but standard cycle bikes and non-standard bikes are not allowed.
Officially launching last Thursday (29 February), and being supervised by the tram operator, Keolis Amey Metrolink (KAM) under test conditions, the ‘guided pilot’ is taking place with volunteers selected by TfGM.
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The pilot will run for the next four to six weeks on off-peak services on different lines, routes, and stops across the Metrolink network, and at different times of the day and days of the week.
However, it is very important to note that, during the ‘guided pilot’, there has been no change to TfGM and Metrolink’s ‘Conditions of Carriage’ policy – which means that bikes and non-standard cycles are not allowed to be taken onto trams by members of the public, and only invited participants under supervision by KAM staff will be able to take their bikes on the Metrolink network.
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Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham committed to carrying out the pilot study as part of his mayoral manifesto.
It was also recommended by the region’s Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey.
Bikes are now allowed on Greater Manchester trams as ‘supervised trial’ begins / Credit: TfGM
TfGM says the pilot has been developed to ensure “all passenger groups are represented” – which includes people with disabilities, and those travelling with pushchairs.
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Researchers’ aim of the pilot is to observe different scenarios involving bikes on trams in a controlled way, and record the experiences of everyone using trams.
The space required to transport bikes alongside passengers, as well as the existing challenges of accommodating bikes, both on trams and the wider network – including stops and transport interchanges – are to be the main points of consideration.
Not only that, but TfGM has also said it will be using the pilot to look at the carriage of adapted bikes used as mobility aids, scooters, and a broader range of mobility scooters that are not currently permitted too.
Only bikes approved by TfGM for the pilot are permitted on trams across the region / Credit: TfGM
Feedback from other passengers will also be recorded as a part of the pilot, along with feedback from the volunteers taking part and any other participants involved, and then, a follow-up report will be taken to the Bee Network Committee later this year with recommendations about bikes on the Metrolink network in the future.
“I’m pleased the pilot to test the carriage of bikes and non-standard cycles on trams is now underway,” commented Danny Vaughan, who is the Head of Metrolink at TfGM, “and I look forward to reviewing its findings.
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“I would like to remind Metrolink customers and cyclists that only invited volunteers can take part in the pilot, and that the current conditions of carriage still stand.
You can read the current rules around taking bikes on trams on the TfGM website here.
Featured Image – TfGM
Travel & Tourism
This Manchester suburb has just been named one of the UK’s ‘happiest’ places to live in 2024
Thomas Melia
An annual poll has named the Manchester suburb of Didsbury spot among 70 locations said to be the ‘happiest’ places to live in the UK.
Greater Manchester has got lots to say for itself, especially with its diverse and unique cultural landscapes, as well as various vibrant communities, so it comes as no surprise that one of our beautiful suburbs has been voted in a list of the UK’s happiest places to live for this year.
The survey included submissions from 5,000 people and there’s a lot of love being shown to the neighbouring areas of Yorkshire like Doncaster, Bingley, and Harrogate – the lattermost placed in second in the entire country.
But, ranking 62nd out of a possible 70 places, the distinct and vibrant area of Didsbury has been noticed by Furniturebox as one of the ‘happiest’ places to live in the UK.
Credit: The Manc Group
The results took into consideration good state schools, affordable housing, as well as accessibility to pubs, bars, restaurants, independent shops, retailers and more.
With multiple parks, walking destinations, and top-notch travel links with Bee Network trams and buses easily taking you back into the city centre and out to other boroughs, East, West and Didsbury Village all remain some of the most sought-after areas in the region.
There’s a whole host of indie retailers to enjoy, especially on the likes of the main high street and Burton Road, which effectively serves as its own cultural district, home to vintage clothing shops like Steranko, tailored styling opticians Fox Brothers and much more.
Burton Rd also boasts countless fantastic food and drink spots like The Great Kathmandu, SANTÉ, Volta and Proove Pizza, just to name a few; we’ve spent plenty of time just on this stretch of Didsbury alone.
If you’ve spent even a little time in Dids, you’ll know there’s plenty going on and it’s certainly one our happiest places in all of Greater Manchester and therefore the UK.
You can also enjoy the famous ‘Didsbury Dozen’ right on your doorstep.
Elsewhere, and somewhat unsurprisingly, Shakespeare’s ever-romanticised hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon once again reigned supreme at the top of this list.
That being said, it’s refreshing to see that these locations weren’t entirely related to wealth and similar factors, the survey took affordability into careful consideration.
Cheshire was destined for success with its cracking views and grand properties, as the North West county made waves for the region managing to place in fifth position, holding up against Falmouth in Cornwall which placed in sixth.
Although not nabbing that all-important top spot, Didsbury is carrying the flag for 0161 and showing what all know to be true: Northerners do it best.
A Greater Manchester town could be set to get a train station for the first time in 60 years
Emily Sergeant
It’s been a whopping six decades, but the residents of one local town could soon be able to hop on a train out of there.
That’s because a planning application for a brand-new £32 million station in Golborne – which would connect the Greater Manchester town, in the Wigan borough, to the rail network for the first time in more than 60 years – has been submitted to Wigan Council, meaning connectivity is finally one step closer to becoming reality.
In case you didn’t know, Golborne currently has no direct bus, train, or tram services to Manchester, and Leigh is the biggest town in England without a rail station, while the wider area is the largest and most-populous area in Greater Manchester not connected to the rail network.
The milestone aims to boost access to jobs and opportunities for people in the town and the wider Wigan borough.
NEWS: Greater Manchester on track with plan for first new rail station in over 20 years. 🚉
✅ 90%+ public consultation support for Golborne station in Wigan ✅ Planning application in to @WiganCouncil ✅ Local area improvements and walking and cycling links
According to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the Golborne station scheme forms part of a wider ambition to bring eight commuter lines into the Bee Network by 2028 – of which “significant investment” has been put into.
The application includes plans for a new accessible two-platform rail station, including step-free access throughout with a footbridge across the tracks and lifts to both platforms, a new hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria, and onwards to Stalybridge, an improved town centre car park, and also new walking and cycling links to the town centre.
The submitting of the proposals comes after nearly 3,000 people had their say on the station earlier this year, with more than 90% of respondents supporting the plans.
A CGI of what the proposed new Golborne station could look like, if plans are approved / Credit: TfGM
If the plans are approved by Wigan Council, work on the site should begin in 2026, according to TfGM, with the new station scheduled to open in 2027.
Mayor Andy Burnham called the submitting of the proposals a “transformative step” for the region.
“It has taken a huge effort to get us to this point,” he explained. “But we have finally reached a major milestone on the journey to reconnect Golborne to the rail network for the first time in over 60 years.
“The proposal is based on extremely sound evidence and huge progress has been made with a planning application being submitted and overwhelming support from local residents.”
Emily Sergeant -
6th March 2024 
