Manchester has long been compared to London, and whilst in many ways our northern home is just as good, if not better, one stark difference is the transport system. We’ve found ourselves plenty of times saying “if only Manchester had the tube“, and now it would seem we’re one step closer, with Mayor Andy Burnham setting his and the GMCA’s sights on bringing a viable underground system to Manchester.
Greater Manchester has unveiled its vision for the next decade – a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life, heralding a new era of economic growth. On the way to becoming a second city to rival any other on the planet by 2050, Manchester is set to gain new underground transport services and a flagship underground station at Manchester Piccadilly.
The announcements were made during the launch of the Greater Manchester Strategy 2025-2035. The Mayor also revealed plans for new bus routes, tramlines and train stations to connect thriving communities across the city region with an integrated, lower cost transport system – helping more people get out and access new opportunities.
The Mayor announced plans to unlock transformative investment in transport infrastructure, so that by 2050 Manchester Piccadilly has an underground tram and train station with a high-speed rail link to Liverpool and regeneration of the surrounding area – making it ‘the Kings Cross of the North‘.
Construction of a tram stop to service new homes at Victoria North will start by 2028, whilst work to bring Metrolink to Stockport will begin by 2030. And two commuter rail lines will join the Bee Network by next December, including Golborne, with another six joining by 2028.
What’s more, the Mayor announced Sebastian Coe as Chair designate of a new Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to spearhead the Old Trafford Regeneration scheme, and Steve Coogan was named co-chair designate of the proposed Middleton MDC, his hometown, alongside Rose Marley, Chief Executive of Co-operatives UK.