Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair made introductions and welcomed all present to the meeting.

Apologies were submitted by Councillor U Farooq.

There was no substitute representative.

To receive any Declarations of Interest.

No Declarations of Interest were submitted.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the last meeting.

That the Minutes of the last meeting held on the 12^th June 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was agreed:

That the minutes be approved.

The Chair informed the meeting that the updated terms of reference for this meeting was approved at summer Council and was attached to the agenda for reference purposes. This now included the provision for public questions and youth representation.

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on any matters for which this Committee is responsible.

Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Public Question Time if required.

The Chair reported that one public question had been submitted in advance of the meeting from Mr A Abbey.

What will be done to offset the additional tram journey time with 2 extra stops on the already slow Bury line? With two new stops at Elton and Sandhills, Bury residents commuting into Manchester will lose the equivalent of 3 working days a year with their families in additional time spent on the tram. (2x extra 90 seconds for deceleration, boarding, acceleration each way, x 5 days a week, x average 47 working weeks = 23.5 hours). Even if cutting the 90 seconds it's still an unacceptable 1 and a half days on the tram instead of with family. 

I would also question if the capacity is even there for these extra passengers with people left waiting on platforms already at peak times. Commuters in the South of the borough risk losing access to the tram.

Mr Abbey was not in attendance at the meeting and the below answer would be sent to him.

An estimated stopping time of approximately 45 seconds per stop, per direction is anticipated. This represents roughly half the 90 seconds identified as a concern.

With regard to journey times:

• The Bury line has been subject to ongoing track maintenance and track renewal.
• Track maintenance and renewal will continue and be further built on with planned renewal of the overhead power lines.
• There are also proposals being developed to renew the Metrolink signalling system.

This ongoing and future investment in renewals provides opportunities to optimise journey times on the Bury line – enabling the additional stopping time at Elton Reservoir and Sandhills to be accommodated

With regard to capacity:

• In the short-term there are plans to optimise the deployment of double trams on the Bury line.
• In the medium-term, there are plans to extend an additional service line (5 trams per hour per direction) to Crumpsall, which would provide relief at the southern end of the Bury line.
• In the longer-term, development work is progressing to specify and prepare for the procurement of a Metrolink ‘Next Generation Vehicle’ fleet, subject to approvals and funding. This new fleet would provide additional capacity, broadly in line with the timescales for bringing new stops into service as stated in reports to the Bee Network Committee and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (August 2025).

In addition, a new southern access at Bury Interchange, which has received planning permission and will shortly be constructed, will reduce walking time to and from the tram stop by approximately two minutes in each direction for some nearby residents.

The Chair welcomed Noah Cashmore who was the nominated youth representative from the Youth Council to attend the Bury Bee Network Forum. The insight from young people was invaluable to feedback on services provided for that age group.

Alison Chew from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) provided an update on progress in delivering the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s plan for a high-quality, affordable and fully integrated public transport and active travel system for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.

The update included information on:-

• The launch of a new night bus service for Bury (135)
• The new 18–21 Bus Pass offering half-price travel
• The Our Pass scheme going digital via the Bee Network app.

A TfGM Bee Network update report between June and August was also attached to the agenda pack for extra information with details on:-

• Improving the Bee Network
• Network updates
• Wider local updates

Punctuality of the first buses to come under local control (tranche 1, which includes some Bury services) is now consistently above 80%, with recent data from tranches 2 (including the remainer of Bury services) and 3 also showing this target being met on a regular basis. This is up from an average of c69% pre-franchising.  

The Chair enquired about recent travel trials and restrictions on passes being lifted pre-9.30am. Alison Chew reported that there would be another trial pre-Christmas for Bury and the impact would be monitored and an updated reported back.

Joanna Maudsley from the Bury Older People’s Network asked if the concessionary rate will only apply to those with the app on their mobile telephone. Alison Chew would look into this matter and seek an answer.

Noah Casmore added that phones are banned in some schools so this could have an impact on younger people not having a device to present their travel details.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted and comments submitted on the Bee Network quarterly update.

Liz Gudegeon presented an update to the network forum on the delivery of the Prestwich Travel Hub which is part of the Prestwich Village Regeneration Scheme.

The Prestwich Village Regeneration Scheme would deliver a comprehensive redevelopment of the Prestwich Village site including the Longfield Centre. The scheme will deliver attractive public realm alongside housing, civic, retail and leisure benefits at scale.

Prestwich Travel Hub is Phase 1a of the Prestwich Village Regeneration scheme. The Travel Hub will consolidate multiple and fragmented surface level parking into a single facility, releasing land for 220 residential properties in Phase 2, while Phase 1b will feature a new community hub, leisure/retail offer, new market hall and public realm.

Full planning permission for Phase 1 was granted by the Planning Authority on the 23rd July 2024. The project team was now on-site delivering the Travel Hub. This will facilitate the re-development of the Rectory Lane Car Park and the wider regeneration of the site.

It was agreed:

That the presentation and progress made with the development of Phase 1A of the Prestwich Village Regeneration scheme be noted.

Mark Mykolajowski presented an update on the delivery of active travel schemes across the Borough, detailing recent completions, current projects in progress, and forthcoming initiatives. These schemes aim to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure, improve connectivity between communities, and support healthier, more sustainable travel choices.

A programme overview of MCF was provided with details on each tranche including costs, start and end dates.

A discussion took place on the new Milltown Street bridge which should be completed by November.

Members raised questions on various schemes listed in the report.

Joanna Maudsley commented about a problem near the side of the college with cars in the right hand lane cutting into lane one at the traffic lights. The Chair asked if box grids or cameras were the answer and Joanne Betts reported that funding would need to be secured from TFGM for box junctions and ANPR cameras.

It was agreed:

That the Bee Network Forum noted the progress to date and endorsed the continued support for the active travel programme, including engagement with local communities to promote uptake and ensure alignment with wider transport and public health objectives.

The Forum looked at the draft work programme for 2025/26 and potential items to place in future meetings over the remainder of the municipal year.

The Chair enquired if an update on Simister Island would be provided by National Highways in time with the impact on capacity issues and the link with creating a Northern powerhouse.

It was agreed:

That the work programme be noted and added to over time.

The next meeting will be held at 6.00pm on Thursday the 4^th December 2025 at Bury Town Hall.

That the next meeting will be held at 6.00pm on Thursday the 4^th December 2025 at Bury Town Hall.