We’re very passionate about our public transport in Greater Manchester, and now the Bee Network has been given a huge boost. Greater Manchester is set to deliver the UK’s first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system by 2030 thanks to a £2.5 billion government funding boost for the Bee Network, announced in Rochdale this morning (Wednesday 4 June).
Mayor Andy Burnham said that further progress on the next phase of the Bee Network will now be delivered at an unrelenting pace. Greater Manchester will create an all-electric local public transport network, bring rail into the Bee Network and deliver major projects to drive green growth.
What key projects will the Bee Network funding provide?
- In Stockport, Greater Manchester will begin construction of a new Metrolink line, bringing Bee Network trams to the town centre
- Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury will be connected to each other as we begin delivery of new tram-train services
- North Manchester, Bury and Oldham will receive new Metrolink stops to support delivery of thousands of new homes
- Leigh and central Manchester will see the creation of new transport interchanges, with Bury‘s new – and the city-region’s first operationally carbon neutral – interchange completed
- Across Greater Manchester, local rail services will be integrated into the Bee Network, fully joining up train travel with buses, trams and active travel
- Town centres across the city region (e.g. Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Middleton, Stretford) will see new public transport and active travel infrastructure to support ongoing regeneration
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This is a game-changing moment that will underpin Greater Manchester’s green growth for years to come. Building on our strong track record, we can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network – creating the UK’s first fully electric, zero emission integrated public transport system by 2030.
“With a pipeline of major transport projects better connecting our towns and cities, and local rail lines brought into the Bee Network, our communities will be the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel.
“Greater Manchester has had a decade of growth faster than the UK average. This funding – together with our devolved decision-making powers – can be the key to unlocking even more growth in the decade to come.”
Where does the funding leave Greater Manchester?
The £2.5 billion is part of a package of investment Greater Manchester is seeking to deliver its growth ambitions in full – with the city-region seeking to work collaboratively with Government on exploring new funding models for major transport and other infrastructure projects.
As part of next week’s Spending Review, it is also hoped the Government will back transformational schemes that stretch beyond the city-region’s boundaries, including the new proposed Liverpool-Manchester Railway.
Continued revenue funding from government will also be crucial to support essential bus routes that provide a lifeline to Greater Manchester’s communities and grow the Bee Network, connecting more places by bus and further boosting passenger numbers.