Heading into Bolton? Drivers are being warned to be aware that new bus lane cameras across the borough will become active from the 9th of October and drivers who contravene bus lanes during operating hours will receive Penalty Charge Notices.

Signage is now in place at all bus lanes notifying people of the operating times, which aim to deter unauthorised vehicles, reduce congestion, and improve bus journeys.

There are currently 14 bus lanes across the borough and enforcement has previously been carried out by traffic wardens and the police.

Automatic number plate recognition cameras will capture the registration plate details of all vehicles driving illegally along the bus lane.

Owners of these vehicles will receive a Penalty Charge Notice of £70 reduced to £35 if paid within the first 21 days.

Cllr Hamid Khurram, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Highways, said:

“Bus lanes aim to help provide a more reliable bus service.

“When a bus is held up it impacts passengers and those waiting for buses.

“Increasing our enforcement in this area is strengthening our commitment to a cleaner, greener Bolton because having an efficient public transport service is integral to this.

“We hope this enforcement will deter motorists from using bus lanes illegally and improve journeys for passengers.”

Northern has advised its customers across the North of England that services will be brought to a halt on Wednesday 4 October as the latest ASLEF strike takes place. 

The train operator has published a travel advice calendar for Wednesday 4 October – Sunday 8 October to highlight when services will be affected.  

There will be no Northern services at all on Wednesday 4 October when ASLEF members – most of whom are employed as train drivers – stage their latest walk out.  

Additional disruption is expected from Monday 2 to Friday 6 October due to action short of strike called by ASLEF and customers are advised to check before they travel as there may be some short notice cancellations to services running on these days.   

Last week, Northern also warned that due to strike action there will be no services on Saturday 30th September. 

For more information about the strike and the services that will be affected, customers should visit: https://northernrailway.co.uk/travel/strikes.  

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:

“We apologise in advance for the significant disruption and inconvenience this action by ASLEF will cause to our customers.   

“We hope to see a resolution to this issue in the near future and an end to the disruption these strikes cause.” 

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England. 

The penalty fare for travelling without a valid ticket or pass on Metrolink will be increasing to £120 from the 24thSeptember as part of ongoing efforts to tackle fare evasion on public transport.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is urging passengers to take note of the higher penalty fare and to ensure they touch-in at the start and touch-out at the end of every journey when using contactless, smart cards or concessionary passes.

Customers can also purchase a ticket or travelcard with cash or card at the ticket machine or via the new Bee Network app from 18th September. Passengers cannot buy tickets on the tram.

As part of the crackdown, dozens of additional Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are being employed to carry out ticket inspections as well as to help passengers travelling on the tram.

Metrolink operator KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) will also be deploying plain clothes officers to target passengers who deliberately avoid buying a ticket.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

Quote

 

“Fare evasion is something we take very seriously, and it will continue to be a priority as we move to the integrated Bee Network.

“While most people who travel by tram do so legally by purchasing a ticket, there are some who continue to think the rules do not apply to them.

“Our message is clear: if you travel on Metrolink without paying, you’ll now face a higher penalty fare, and you could be prosecuted.

“For 30 years Metrolink received public subsidy, and the money we raised from fare-paying passengers is reinvested into the network for everyone’s benefit. If people are fare dodging, we won’t be able to improve the service we offer.

“Metrolink will play a vital role in realising our vision of a truly integrated public transport system, the Bee Network, which works for everyone. I would urge everyone to consider the consequences of fare evasion.”

 

Changes to Metrolink’s conditions of carriage will see the maximum penalty for fare evasion on Metrolink rise from £100 to £120 (reduced to £60, previously £50, if paid within two weeks). The fine for failing to pay by contactless, currently set at £45, will increase to £60 at the same time.

The same fines are also being introduced on Bee Network franchised bus services, which launch in Bolton, Wigan, and parts of Salford, Bury and Manchester on 24th September.

Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said:

Quote

 

“We’re increasing penalty fares to remind passengers to pay for their ticket before boarding a tram. It’s simple and it’s cheap so there is no excuse for free loading, and it won’t be tolerated.

“This year we have issued almost 55,000 penalty fares and brought just under 6,000 cases to court, with defendants receiving fines of up to £450.

“The easiest way to use Metrolink is the contactless system. Simply touch-on and touch-off for each journey and we’ll cap the amount you pay at the best price for each day or for a week if you are a regular user. You’ll always pay the lowest fare, and it’s far cheaper than being caught or ending up in court.”

 

There are diversions currently in place this afternoon (Friday 8th September) towards the top end of Walkden Road (Where it changes to Memorial Road), following a collision between a lorry and a section of rail bridge.

The Home Bargains branded vehicle is currently wedged under the bridge and police officers are diverting vehicles along Park Road and up Stanley Road to bypass the obstruction.

It is unknown as to how long the road closure will last but a recovery team is present.

Vehicles heading along the southbound route towards the East Lancashire Road (A580) are unaffected.

We are not aware of any rail disruption at this time.

Drivers are being advised to avoid the area over the next few hours.

This Sunday 3 September the Tour of Britain races into Salford on the first stage of the country’s biggest cycling event. Make sure you don’t miss some of the world’s best cyclists, catch them from around 1pm and come and show your support by cheering them on as they whizz through the city.

There will be some temporary rolling road closures in place across Salford for the event:

A5082 Peel Lane

A6 Manchester Road East/A5082

A6 Manchester Road East/Ellesmere Street

A6 Manchester Road East/Campbell Way

A6 High Street

A6/A575

A6 Manchester Road/A575

Central Islands

A6 Chorley Road/Moss Lane

A6 Chorley Road/Station Road

A6 Chorley Road/Wellington Road

A6 Broad Street/A666

A580/Lancaster Road **

Irlam O'th Heights r/about **

A6/B6186 Frederick Road **

Slip Road A5063 Albion Way

Liverpool Street

A5066 Oldfield Road

A57 Regent Road

A57 Regent Road/B5461

All roads are expected to be closed for approximately 15 minutes in a rolling closure as the race progresses along the route, with the exception of the above highlighted roads ** which will be closed for up to 3 hours.

Any diversions will be signed and taken down as the race develops

The closure is required to close roads to enable the cyclists, support teams and spectators

This will be effective from Sunday 3 September 2023, 1pm to 4.30pm in order of the above. All roads will be closed and reopened at the earliest opportunity.

For a full timetable of Stage One of the race, please see the Tour of Britain website.

Please note that timings are estimates due to it being a race.

Stagecoach Manchester bus drivers have called off their proposed strike action after accepting a new pay deal, Unite, the country’s leading trade union, announced today.

Unite members voted to accept the deal which will see pay increases of approximately 16 per cent for both new and established drivers – well above the current RPI rate of inflation of nine per cent.

The new pay deal also includes pay rises for weekend and bank holiday work and follows an aggressive campaign by Unite on behalf of its members across Greater Manchester.

While industrial action by Stagecoach drivers is now cancelled, First Manchester drivers are still heading to the picket line as the employer has refused to come to the table with an improved pay offer acceptable to members.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said:

Quote

“This victory shows there is power in a union. Unite has fought tirelessly for a better pay deal for our members. Our relentless focus on the jobs, pay and conditions for the bus drivers at Stagecoach, allied with their grit and determination, has led to this important win.”

Unite north-west regional officer, Colin Hayden, added:

Quote

“I’m delighted for our members who have fought tirelessly for a better pay deal – they should be congratulated on their resolve. While Stagecoach drivers will head back to work, the pressure is now on First Manchester to head back to the negotiating table with an improved offer – our members there will be looking at the victory secured here and demanding the same.”

A trial of temporary traffic signals on Salford's busiest roundabout is being extended for a further 12 months.

The signals were installed at Worsley Courthouse roundabout in February 2023 for an initial period of six months to improve traffic flow and safety by giving all approaches an equal chance to join the roundabout.

Since the trial started, data shows that general traffic journey times in the morning have improved on all approaches from between 27 seconds to three minutes and 26 seconds quicker. In addition, morning bus journey times have reduced by between 20 seconds and up to eight minutes.

The afternoon results have been less positive. Although there has been a reduction in general traffic journey times on the Worsley Road and Barton Road approaches, there has been an average 10 seconds increase in general traffic journey times on the Worsley Brow approach.

The signals are located on the south-bound carriageway of Worsley Brow, just south of where the M60 crosses overhead and are being monitored by cameras and sensors. Passive sensors were also placed further away from the roundabout, collecting traffic volume data before the trial started as well as throughout, to provide a complete picture of its impact on the network.

The signals are on Monday to Friday between 15:30 – 18:00 to assist with the afternoon peak traffic. Outside of those hours, including weekends, the signals are only activated if significant queues are detected on Worsley Road or Barton Road by one of the sensors. The signals stay on as long as queues are present, and they switch off automatically when the queues are reduced.

The signals stop traffic approaching the roundabout from the North, allowing vehicles on the other approaches to join the roundabout.

Councillor McCusker, Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development said:

Quote

"The results are very good so far. The initial data is also showing us there are no significant impacts on journey times. We are making the decision to continue the trial so we have detailed seasonal statistics before we make a final decision. Our overall aim is to reduce the time people have to sit in traffic and to do this in the safest way possible."

Transport for the North (TfN) is inviting feedback on its revised Strategic Transport Plan (STP) for the North of England which will form the blueprint for investment in the region's transport system.  

There are now just four days to have your say on the proposals, with the consultation ending on Thursday 17 August 2023. 

Launched on 25 May 2023, the 12-week consultation is giving people chance to have their say on the North's plan for strategic transport infrastructure, which will be analysed and fed into the final STP that will go before the North's political and business leaders later this year for approval. 

The public can find more information on the proposals and take part by visiting the virtual consultation room on Transport for the North's website. 

The revised Plan has been updated to reflect a wider set of outcomes the North wants to achieve by 2050, including with a clear vision for the region's transport network. It is supported by three strategic ambitions: transforming economic performance, rapid decarbonisation of the transport network, and significantly reducing transport related social exclusion. 

A key priority for TfN is ensuring that investment addresses the extent to which access to transport – both in terms of availability and affordability – continues to be a barrier to individuals realising their potential. 

Lord McLoughlin, Chair of Transport for the North, said: 

Quote

 

"Better connectivity is absolutely essential to the long-term economic success of our region, and we want to see a transport network that works for everyone in in the North. 

"We've had a fantastic response to our revised Strategic Transport Plan consultation so far, with hundreds of comments received already and there's still time to respond if you haven't done so yet. The Plan is the North's voice on strategic transport priorities, so hearing from as many people and businesses as possible across our region is vital.  

"We want an efficient, high-quality, interconnected and decarbonisation transport system that connects people and places. Talk to us, share your thoughts on our Plan and help us deliver a long-term transport strategy for the North." 

 

The final Strategic Transport Plan is due to be published in early 2024 and will lay the foundations for the transport infrastructure investment for the North for decades to come. 

Metrolink’s Eccles line will see for 10 weeks of disruption and closure to allow for major rail replacement work to take place.

From Saturday 15th July to Thursday 21st September, track renewal work will be carried out on Eccles New Road which will result in the closure of Eccles and Ladywell tram stops.

Services will continue to operate as normal between Weaste and the city centre, as well as the MediaCityUK and Trafford Park Metrolink lines,

A fully accessible bus replacement service will also run to take passengers between Weaste and Eccles, serving Ladywell, for onward journeys. Signed pedestrian walking routes will be in place and customer service staff will be present to help passengers.

More information can be found online.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) regularly carry out maintenance, repairs and renewal to track, overheard wires and other equipment to improve the travelling experience and service for customers.

Work has previously been carried out on the Eccles line in 2021 and 2022 to replace sections of worn rail along the line, which first opened 22 years ago. A total of 1.7km of worn rails will be replaced as part of the latest phase.

Undertaking the repairs over the summer and early autumn will ensure that as much work as possible is completed and reduced the need to close the line for longer in the future.

Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said:

Quote

 

“I’d like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience these works will cause.It is, however, essential to do to keep our services safe into the future.

“It will be the final summer of rail replacement for some years, and this year we will be running trams all the way to Weaste from the city centre, in order to minimise disruption.”

 

The Government has today (5 July) announced plans to close nearly every railway station ticket office across England.

This includes stations within Salford at Eccles, Swinton, Salford Central and Walkden which could all be set to soon close.

The move has sparked concerns that it could mean that many passengers will find it hard to book tickets, leaving them disadvantaged. 

Each regional train operating company will publish public closure consultation details on their website.

Ticket office staff affected by closures will be given the option of moving to a new "multi-skilled" role with training provided, the RDG said, with train companies engaging constructively with unions to manage the transition.

Responding to the announcement a spokesperson for Transport for the North said:

Quote

 

“We understand that the way people buy tickets is changing and that there needs to be reform. However, this should be done in a holistic way, considering the needs of all station users and local communities.

“We are concerned that the focus on ticket office staffing in isolation of wider investment (for example pay as you go ticketing) could lead to disadvantaging certain passengers and communities. We will be working with our partners on a robust response to the consultation using local evidence and knowledge.

“Patronage growth on the railways in the North is strong, albeit people are choosing to travel at different times for different purposes. Done correctly, we can ensure that reform supports growth and the needs of all passengers. But it must not be to the disadvantage of any station users, especially in regards to accessibility and safety.” 

 

Two tram stops on Metrolink’s Eccles line will close for 10 weeks to allow for major rail replacement work to take place.

From Saturday 15th July to Thursday 21st September, track renewal work will be carried out on Eccles New Road which will result in the closure of Eccles and Ladywell tram stops. Services will continue to operate as normal between Weaste and the city centre, as well as the MediaCityUK and Trafford Park Metrolink lines,

A fully accessible bus replacement service will also run to take passengers between Weaste and Eccles, serving Ladywell, for onward journeys. Signed pedestrian walking routes will be in place and customer service staff will be present to help passengers.

More information can be found online.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) regularly carry out maintenance, repairs and renewal to track, overheard wires and other equipment to improve the travelling experience and service for customers.

Work has previously been carried out on the Eccles line in 2021 and 2022 to replace sections of worn rail along the line, which first opened 22 years ago. A total of 1.7km of worn rails will be replaced as part of the latest phase.

Undertaking the repairs over the summer and early autumn will ensure that as much work as possible is completed and reduced the need to close the line for longer in the future.

Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said:

Quote

 

“I’d like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience these works will cause.It is, however, essential to do to keep our services safe into the future.

“It will be the final summer of rail replacement for some years, and this year we will be running trams all the way to Weaste from the city centre, in order to minimise disruption.”

 

Bus and tram tickets are to be launched cutting the cost of travel in Greater Manchester for many users by 20 per cent from September. The Bee Network starts on September 24, when the city-region becomes the first to bring bus services under local control since 1986.

Launching the new Bee AnyBus + tram tickets at Rochdale interchange, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said it would mark ‘a London style integrated fare structure for our city region’.

He also announced that two Greater Manchester railway routes, Stalybridge to Victoria and Glossop to Piccadilly, would become first outside London to pilot
contactless pay-as-you-go travel. He said this would be a step towards integrating the rail service in the region in a similar way to buses and trams.

Mr Burnham also said the £2 cap on bus fares would be continued until September 2024 as Transport for Greater Manchester had secured ongoing support from the Government.

He said:

Quote

 

“The Bee Network is of fundamental importance to Greater Manchester and all of these benefits will soon be realised.

“From September, across all of Greater Manchester, we are cutting the cost of public transport by 20 per cent for people who are prepared to use it most.
“This is the moment of bring in a London style integrated fare structure for our city region.

“People across the city region will be able to travel on unlimited buses and trams and they will only pay up to a certain level which will be significantly cheaper than it is now. “Although we are having to franchise certain areas in sections, the benefits of this come through to people everywhere as quickly as possible.

“We hope this will encourage people to make a change when the Bee Network comes in September.

“We want more people to move away from their car and commit to public transport and by doing so save money. “We’re cutting though with a really simple fare structure.”

 

Examples of savings under the new system were given. At present a bus and Metrolink return trip from Middleton to Media City would cost £8.30, from September a zone 1 and 2 Bee Anybus + tram travelcard
which covers that trip will be £7.30.

An adult trip by bus and tram from Oldham to Manchester Royal Infirmary will be £1 cheaper off peak and £1.40 at peak times from September 24. A similar bus and tram journey from Stalybridge to the Etihad stadium will cost 70p less off peak and 80p less at peak times.

People will be able to purchase the Bee Anybus + Tram tickets for four zones of transport within Greater Manchester. A phone app for the Bee Network which will sell the integrated products is set to be launched in August.

The new tickets will also be available online and at travel shops. As the bus franchises for the Bee Network roll out the date set for a full ‘tap-in-tap-out’ system across all buses and trams in the region has been set for January 2025.

Mr Burnham said the that a more integrated transport system would have a massive economic impact.

Quote

 

“The Bee Network is a different public transport system which will allow people to move around in a different way,” he said.

“It will improve the lives of our residents in many ways. “It will lay the foundations for strong, productive growing economy in Greater Manchester where people can easily access jobs and opportunities.

“It’s of fundamental importance to Greater Manchester and all of these benefits will soon be realised.”

 

It is hoped the contactless pilot on the railways on the Glossop and Stalybridge services will pave the way for multi-mode tickets across the Metrolink, bus and rail services by 2030.

Town hall bosses have acted on a coroner’s ruling to make a junction in Irlam where two men died safer.

Drivers will now be prevented from turning right onto the A57 Cadishead Way southbound from Fairhills Road, a manoeuvre which police and highways bosses reckon is the cause of a number of collisions.

It follows an inquest into the deaths of driver Michael Draper, 62, and his passenger Rafal Wojdyl, 43, who were in collison with a lorry at the junction of the A57 Cadishead Way and Fairhills Road in June 2021.

Salford city council was urged by Greater Manchester West coroner Prof Alan Walsh sitting at Bolton in May 2022 to make changes to improve safety.

At the time, Prof Walsh told the council:

Quote

“In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action.”

Mr Draper and Mr Wojdyl had been travelling along Fairhills Road in a Dacia Logan car before turning onto the A57, which runs between Eccles and Warrington.

At the same time, a lorry was travelling along Cadishead Way towards Eccles, while a Citroen Berlingo van was travelling in the opposite direction waiting to turn right into Fairhills Road.

In his report, Prof Walsh said: 

Quote

“At the junction Mr Draper, without reason, pulled out of Fairhills Road into Cadishead Way directly into the path of the HGV and there was a collision. As the collision developed, Mr Draper’s vehicle was pushed back by the HGV, causing a further collision between Mr Draper’s vehicle and the Citroen Berlingo.”

Coun Mike McCusker, the city’s lead member for planning transport and sustainable development, approved the move at a briefing today.

A traffic regulation order (TRO) will now prevent vehicles right from Fairhills Road onto the Cadishead Way in the southbound direction.

A report to the briefing said:

Quote

“There has been a history of two fatal and one seriously injured road traffic collisions that have occurred at this junction since 2015.”

It said that the city council’s road safety team has undertaken an investigation alongside Greater Manchester Police to establish the right turn manoeuvre was ‘a consistent factor’ in the fatal and serious conditions.

Quote

 

“Following the most recent fatal collision [in June 2021] HM Coroner issued the council with a Regulation 28 Report to prevent future deaths occurring at this junction,” the report said.

“Officers have explored several interventions to address the road safety concerns while minimising the impact on the surrounding network for residents and businesses. 

“The TRO to prevent the right turn was the preferred option.”

 

Ward councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith told the briefing: “I am supportive of this scheme.  It’s been really concerning with the number of serious incidents that have occurred here for lots of the residents.”

A weekend road closure will be implemented on Worsley Road in early July to allow United Utilities to carry out sewer repairs.

Teams will be working on the damaged sewer near the roundabout with the M60, with a one-lane road closure in place from 8am on Saturday 1st July to 6am on Monday 3rd July.

The work will take place on Worsley Road, near Worsley Courthouse. This means Worsley Road will be closed to traffic coming from the motorway junctions and Worsley Brow for safety until the work is complete.

Drivers coming from the motorway junctions and Worsley Brow will be signposted to divert down Barton Road, along Parrin Lane, Rocky Lane and Folly Lane to rejoin Worsley Road close to the junction with the A580 East Lancs Road.

Traffic coming from Worsley Road on to the roundabout is not affected, with one lane remaining open in that direction. Pedestrian access will remain available.

United Utilities is working with Salford Council, National Highways, and local residents and businesses, to ensure disruption is minimised where possible.

Passengers across the North are set to benefit from fewer delays and more reliable trains after the Government announced a £72 million package in Manchester today.

At Manchester Victoria Station, Rail Minister Huw Merriman revealed the latest of four infrastructure upgrades to improve day-to-day journeys for passengers across the region while supporting productivity and economic growth.

The funding will deliver a third platform at Salford Crescent station and track improvement work across north Manchester to help reduce delays, bottlenecks and station overcrowding, meaning passengers will enjoy more comfortable and reliable journeys.

Manchester Victoria Station will also benefit from extra entry and exit points to platforms, making it easier for passengers to travel through the station during busier periods.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

Quote

 

“This investment supports our commitment to transforming journeys across the North by delivering much needed infrastructure improvements in Manchester.”

“Today’s funding, alongside major projects like HS2, the TransPennine Route Upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail, demonstrates our pledge to improving opportunities for passengers across the region and leaving a positive impact for generations to come.”

 

The funding announced today follows closely on the heels of a new timetable launch in December, which was supported by £84 million of Government investment to deliver a better performing timetable and extended platforms for longer electric trains with more seats to better serve passengers.

As a result, delays across central Manchester have already decreased by 40% compared to 2019/20 levels, exceeding initial expectations.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said:

Quote

 

“This new investment will help make trains services more reliable for the people of Manchester and beyond, marking another milestone in a decade’s worth of rail improvements across the region.

“An efficient railway is key to levelling up and the improvements delivered through this package will help boost local economies and connect people to opportunities, as well as friends and family.”

 

Today’s announcement is the latest step in transforming services over the next decade through the Manchester Task Force – a cross industry body, including representatives of Network Rail, Transport for Greater Manchester, Transport for the North and local train operators.

In order to deliver for passengers quickly while providing value for money for taxpayers, Network Rail has today withdrawn a previous planning application for rail infrastructure work in the city. We have asked the Task Force to consider alternative options to better serve passengers and support the £26 million already injected to improve services at Manchester Piccadilly, Airport and Oxford Road stations.

Combined with ongoing electrification projects and the TransPennine Route Upgrade already underway, the latest measures will pave the way for an enhanced timetable from the middle of the decade and the introduction of future HS2 services into the city.

Network Rail’s Tim Shoveller said:  

Quote

 

“Today’s announcement is really positive, allowing us to get on with fixing the infrastructure around central Manchester so we can run trains more reliably.  

“The rail industry has come together to work on these proposals, building into a long-term vision that will get the best for our passengers and freight users alike. We also have ambitious plans for the future of Manchester Oxford Road. We’re removing our previous planning application so we can move forward with a new approach, something we’ll be consulting residents and businesses on later in the year.”

 

This isn't the only way the Government is investing in Manchester. The recent trailblazer devolution deal committed to supporting reforming local rail in the region, including pilots of Pay-As-You-Go ticketing and integrated London-style transport on the Bee network.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said:

Quote

 

“There is a massive opportunity to change rail journeys for people and businesses in Greater Manchester and the North for the better, and this infrastructure investment is a welcome next step to help make that happen. 

“Through the Task Force and our Trailblazer deal, we will continue working with Government and the industry to help shape the comprehensive package of improvements needed to transform rail travel and support our growing economy, so that we can create more jobs and homes.”

 

Responding to the Department for Transport's announcement, Darren Oldham, Transport for the North’s Rail and Road Director, said:

Quote

 

"This is excellent news which will enable work to ease railway congestion in Manchester to continue.
The work that Transport for the North and its partners have already carried out through the Manchester Task Force has delivered a 40% reduction in service delays since December.

This latest funding will deliver even more capacity works over the next two years to further ease congestion. We look forward to continuing to work with the Department, Network Rail and our partners on the development of further solutions for Manchester as we grow the network and improve services.

It all adds up to a better deal for the passenger – Manchester is a key bottleneck on the network, and improvements here will deliver widespread benefits across the North.”

 

New pedestrian-controlled crossings are to be installed at a major road junction in Salford to boost safety for local people.

The improvement scheme at the junction of Mosley Common Road and the A580 East Lancashire Road will tackle existing local concerns ahead of significant housing developments approved by Wigan Council to the north of the junction. The two councils have met regularly to ensure the two schemes complement each other.

The current crossings will be upgraded to wider Toucan crossings making them safer for wheelchairs, pushchairs and cyclists, with staggered crossings on the east and west arms of the junction. Tactile paving and hazard markings will also be introduced along with resurfacing to the road and paths. 

Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development, said: “Pedestrians and cyclists say they avoid this junction because of the lack of modern, safe crossings. This scheme will help them and encourage more people to avoid using cars to ease congestion on the roads.”

Salford City Council will now go out to tender for the work which is expected to start later this year. It will be asking companies bidding to carry out the work to consider what social value they can add in terms of local employment, spend with suppliers, support for community projects and impact on the environment.

Photo ©: Google

Barton Lane in Eccles was closed both ways to traffic earlier this evening (10th April), due to a double decker bus having its roof and part of the upper deck sheared off as a result of striking the canal bridge.

Photos from the scene show the upper level of a Diamond bus completely destroyed and the roof lying upon the road underneath the bridge.

We are being told that the road will remain closed until the Ports Authority can attend and assess / repair any damage.

There are thankfully no casualties being reported, it is believed the bus was not in service at the time.

Drivers are being told to avoid the area and plan for an alternative route as there may be subsequent local delays in the area whilst the bus is removed and the bridge declared safe.

Photos ©: Local photographer Dag Pagan via Facebook

Millions across England are encouraged to ‘Hop Around for £2’ this spring as the £2 bus fare cap is extended to 30 June.  

Thanks to £75 million of extra Government investment, the fare cap means passengers can save on single bus tickets, helping them travel more affordably to education, work and medical appointments.

Extended from today (1 April), the offer will apply to more than 5,000 routes in England from over 140 operators, as the Government continues to help households through this difficult economic period, while levelling up transport and growing the economy.

With the average single local bus ticket costing £2.80, passengers can save almost a third of the ticket price and over 75% on some of the longest trips. 

The scheme, which began in January this year, has already seen an uptick in passenger numbers. This extension will continue to encourage greater bus use and is expected to take up to four million cars off the road, supporting ambitions for greener journeys by minimising pollution and tackling congestion across the country.  

A key part of the Government’s Help for Households campaign, the fare cap is helping to deliver real savings for people most affected by the rising cost of living. 

Some of the biggest savings on the longest routes up and down the country thanks to the fare cap include: 

£12.50 from Lancaster to Kendall, a saving of 86% from £14.50  

£9.20 from Plymouth to Exeter, a saving of 82% from £11.20 

£6 from Newcastle and Middlesbrough, a saving of 75% from £8 

£6.50 from Hull to York, a saving of 76% from £8.50 

£13 from Leeds to Scarborough, a saving of 87% from £15 

Roads Minister Richard Holden said: 

“Bus travel should be accessible and affordable for everyone. We know that people are struggling with rising costs, which is why we’re extending the £2 bus fare cap and continuing to put money back into passengers’ pockets.

“This will help to ensure people can get around easily, no matter where they live – connecting them with work, education, doctors’ appointments as well as friends and families – in turn strengthening communities and growing local economies.”

This measure builds on more than £2 billion already invested to protect buses in England since the pandemic and a further £1 billion for Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP) to improve services and keep fares down as part of the National Bus Strategy, published in 2021. 

Bus fare caps are also available across major cities and local authorities, such as Greater Manchester and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, thanks to the £1 billion in BSIP funding.  

Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: 

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“The continuation of the £2 fare cap is a welcome boost for passengers during a cost-of-living crisis, reminding people buses are a stress-free, affordable and environmental option for work, education, appointments, leisure or to see loved ones.  

“Alongside low fares, passengers need the Government to continue to invest in bus services to help maintain connectivity across England, no matter where you live.”  

 

Today’s announcement will help deliver on our vision of a net zero transport network, with the cap estimated to take four million car journeys off the road and building on the nearly £300 million already invested by Government for up to 1,400 zero emission buses in England from the Zero Emission Buses Regional Areas (ZEBRA).

David Bradford, Managing Director of National Express West Midlands, said:

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"It's fantastic to see that the Government recognises the important role bus services have on local communities, not only to help people travel more affordably or access work, but also reduces congestion and emissions on our roads.

"The £2 fare scheme has been warmly received by our customers with over 3 million passengers taking advantage of cheaper bus fares since January, and we hope that news of this extension will encourage even more people to ditch their cars and switch to buses to get around."

 

The Government will continue to work closely with bus operators and local authorities to help passengers continue to access reliable and affordable bus services after June. 

Andrew Stokes, VisitEngland Director, said:

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“With spring upon us and as we head towards the Easter break the decision to extend the fare cap is welcome news, supporting people to get out and take day trips and mini-breaks across England, by keeping the cost of transport down.
“Enabling people to get out and explore England affordably this spring also gives families the chance to make great memories together, and provides tourism and hospitality businesses with a welcome boost as the season gets underway.”

With exactly six months to go before Greater Manchester brings buses back under local control, the Mayor and other leaders today unveiled the first Bee Network co-branded buses – which are due to hit the streets in the coming weeks.

Diamond, along with Go North West, will run the first franchised services in Wigan and Bolton and parts of Salford and Bury from 24 September, marking the biggest change to transport in Greater Manchester for almost 40 years.

To get ready for the change, Diamond – who currently run services in Bolton – has agreed to start transforming their buses into Bee Network yellow now, with more set to appear on the roads every month.

The first branded bus will enter service today and will serve the number 8 route connecting Bolton and Manchester city centre via Farnworth and Salford.

When franchising is introduced in September, 50 brand new electric Bee Network buses will be introduced on day one, alongside new ‘Euro VI’ vehicles and dozens more co-branded buses from the existing fleet, including Vantage buses. A further 50 electric buses will also be introduced onto the network in March 2024, when the second part of franchising starts.

The reveal of the new yellow co-branded bus comes as an order is placed for a further 170 electric buses that will operate in and around Stockport by 2024.

The buses will be jointly funded by Stagecoach and local and national government, with Stagecoach’s £37.2m investment match-funded by £35.7m from Greater Manchester’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) fund and a local contribution of £12.5m.

All of the 270 new electric buses will be fully accessible, with wheelchair bays, hearing induction loops, audio and visual announcement systems and anti-slip flooring.Welcoming the early introduction of Bee Network co-branded vehicles and the order for the new electric buses,

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, said:

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“Today is a significant day on our journey towards the Bee Network – marking six months until we start to bring buses back under public control for the first time in decades.

“To get ready for the change – and I hope start to build some excitement – we’re working with Diamond and other operators to introduce co-branded Bee Network buses onto those services that will be amongst the first to come back under local control.

also delighted to announce that by working closely with Stagecoach we will have another 170 brilliant new buses running on our network from next year, with a brand new, world-class electric bus depot.

“This is very much the start of our journey that will ultimately deliver a greener, integrated and more inclusive transport system that will transform how people travel around our city-region.”

 

To support the roll out of a new fleet of world-class, environmentally friendly buses, Greater Manchester has been awarded £7.5m from the Department of Levelling-Up Housing and Communities to buy land for a leading, state-of-the-art electronic bus depot.

A potential site at Central Park has been identified that would hold 250 electric buses and provide new, highly skilled jobs now and in the future. It would also support ongoing regeneration and help to deliver on Greater Manchester’s ambition for a zero-emission bus fleet by 2032.

TfGM is also looking to take control of existing bus depots by buying or leasing them, before refurbishing and transforming them into modern, high-tech, sustainable facilities.

And to help passengers make seamless journeys, a new Bee Network app will enable customers to buy tram and bus tickets and access real time information on services. With punctuality and reliability, as well as levels of complaints, impacting what operators get paid, the app will also enable passengers to rate their service and give feedback to the Bee Network Customer Contact Centre. In time the app will include walking and cycling routes and enable people to easily access and use Greater Manchester’s cycle hire scheme.

Transport Commissioner, Vernon Everitt, said:

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“This preparation of the bus fleet for franchised operation in six months’ time marks a further significant step towards the integrated Bee Network and transformation of public transport and active travel in our growing city-region.

“From September we’ll also have dozens of new, state-of-the-art buses serving passengers in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Salford and Bury. These will be the first of many across Greater Manchester that will, alongside the new lower fares – which are already increasing ridership – and improvements to travel information, improve bus travel for everyone who lives and works here.

“All buses will be operating under franchised arrangements by January 2025, which will for the first time enable effective planning of the network alongside Metrolink and active travel facilities. Under the recently announced Trailblazer deal, we will then work towards integration of local rail services into the Bee Network by 2030.”

 

While the colour of buses is changing – helping customers get used to the new look of the Bee Network fleet – buses will otherwise remain as they are, and no further changes will take place until September. Until then passengers should continue to contact their operator in the usual way.

A new initiative to upskill, recruit and retain a new generation of bus professionals, alongside support to help our bus sector get stronger, has been announced by the Roads Minister Richard Holden today (Tuesday 21 March).

Backed by £815,000 in Government investment, the new Bus Centre of Excellence will bring together expertise from local government, bus operators and industry to boost skills and diversity in the bus sector.

As pledged in the Government’s National Bus Strategy, the new Bus Centre of Excellence will give life to a new generation of bus professionals to drive forward more reliable, affordable and cleaner bus services. Hosted by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, it will provide training opportunities, direct access to resources and industry experts, as well as networking events to uplift the capacity and capability of the whole sector, working to encourage people to get back on the bus.

The Bus Centre of Excellence's ambitions will complement the continued decarbonisation of the national bus fleet, improving the whole passenger experience, and today’s announcement comes as the Government confirms £3 million for 18 brand new zero emission buses in Leicester. The new buses will be manufactured in Northern Ireland by Wrightbus and operated by First Bus, supporting hundreds of high-skilled jobs and helping to grow the economy.

This latest investment means all diesel buses at the operator First Bus’s depot in Leicester will now be replaced with 86 electric buses funded by the Zero Emission Buses Regional Areas (ZEBRA), making Leicester home to one of the first bus depots in the UK to transition to fully electric. In total Leicester has benefitted from nearly £22 million funding from the ZEBRA scheme to support 114 electric buses.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

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“Buses are the backbone of our transport network, providing affordable travel for commuters, families, and pensioners, and providing an economic lifeline for towns and cities around the country.

“This multimillion investment for Leicester’s clean transformation, coupled with the new Bus Centre of Excellence, will help drive the country’s bus sector recovery and provide passengers with cleaner, more affordable buses that run on time.”

 

Zero-emission buses are often cheaper to run, improving the economics for bus operators, and are more reliable, reducing repair costs and minimising delays.

The new ZEBs for Leicester build on the success of the existing ZEBRA scheme, which was launched in 2021 to allow local transport authorities to bid for funding for ZEBs zero emission buses and supporting infrastructure.

The move brings total Government funding from the ZEBRA scheme to almost £300 million for up to 1,400 zero emission buses in England, taking the vision of a net zero transport network one step closer to reality.  

Neil Johnstone, President, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, said:

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“CIHT has a proven track record of delivering high quality continuing professional development for those working in the transportation sector. We are delighted to be the chosen partner to help work on improving this important sustainable transport mode.”

“This partnership (alongside other government initiatives) will see CIHT help to bring together a wide range of professional skills and knowledge from both the public and private sector to facilitate change to local infrastructure, service delivery and the sector across the country – with the ultimate aim of improving bus services.”

 

Janette Bell, Managing Director at First Bus, said:

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“We’re absolutely delighted that Leicester will become one of our blueprint bus depots of the future, helping us to refine and iterate this new concept so we can roll it out across the rest of the UK. At First Bus, we’re continuing to trailblaze with our partners to ensure we meet our net zero targets, supported by co-funding from the Department for Transport.

“As leaders in sustainable mobility, we are fully aligned with the Government’s ambitions for a net zero carbon transport system. Through this co-funding with the ZEBRA scheme, we’re excited to electrify another 5 of our UK depots before March 2024, and look forward to introducing even more electric buses to our constantly growing fleet.“We cannot wait to see our customers’ reactions once the project is complete, as we know the difference this will make to the city. Electric really is the future and we’re glad we can take our customers on this journey with us.”

 

The new Bus Centre of Excellence initiative follows the £155 million announced last month to continue supporting bus services up and down the country and providing affordable journeys by extending the popular £2 bus fare cap.

This brings the total Government funding to protect buses at over £2 billion since the pandemic, with a further £1 billion invested to improve the quality of bus services through the Bus Service Improvement Plans