Agenda item

Representatives from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) presented a report on a Bus Network Development update. TfGM were moving to a more strategic, GM?wide approach to network development, supported by a rolling pipeline of potential interventions. This would allow them to prioritise proposals more consistently, coordinate them with wider planning and investment cycles, and deliver improvements across Greater Manchester more dynamically.

It had been year since all of Greater Manchester’s buses joined the Bee Network and this was a natural point to pause and reflect on how to develop the network.

The new Greater Manchester Strategy gives an opportunity to look at the network and ensure it supports the seven key workstreams (listed below), wider growth pipeline and local priorities.

• A healthy home for all
• Safe and strong communities
• A transport system for a global city region
• A clear line of sigh to high quality jobs
• Everyday support in every neighbourhood
• A great place to do business
• Digitally connected places and people

Issues to still address are routes that haven’t been designed as part of a single, integrated network and haven’t fully adapted to modern needs e.g. poorly serving industrial parks and retail parks. Along with the areas of Greater Manchester that have seen much greater decline in their local networks than others.

From the original engagement conducted during the early network review process with Bury Council Members, officers and local communities they have recorded a number of priorities for stakeholders in Bury, which included:-

•       Improving frequency of services north of the borough in late afternoons/ evenings.

• Improving connectivity in the west and north of the borough.
• Improving the reliability of the 471, including running later in the evenings and more

often on a Sunday, supporting connections to shopping, health services and employment.

• Night bus services
• Greater cross-boundary connectivity, inc south of the borough/ towards Salford.

Later in March, the GM Mayor will be announcing a package of interventions across Greater Manchester. These proposals will be implemented over the next 12 months and will be the first of a number of rolling announcements each year.

Later in the year there will be another opportunity for highlighting community priorities, long?standing issues, and any gaps or opportunities in your area which will help inform. We’ll also be widening our engagement to speak to local communities.

Feedback would be used to shape the initial pipeline of Network Development interventions, alongside data on performance, demand and demographic trends.

Each proposal would be assessed against criteria such as:-

•       Connectivity and local priorities

•       Customer impact

•       City region?wide impact

•       Affordability and value for money

•       Deliverability and alignment with long?term ambitions

Insight from councillors helps to understand community needs, long?standing issues, new developments and emerging opportunities.

This supports an evidence?led and transparent approach with all feedback reviewed and helps inform where improvements can offer the greatest benefit.

A Member questioned if the precept charge would increase to fund the extension of services.

Noah Cashmore spoke about a number of bus services in different parts of the borough and

Officers from TfGM were happy to be emailed the queries and provide feedback.

Joanna Maudsley commented that the new cycle path along Market Street on the way to the college was now the same colour as the walkway and this was of great concern to the Blind Society. Natalie Blackston would ask highways to look into the matter and provide a response.