Transport Strategy for Manchester out for consultation
Article published: Friday, February 19th 2010
Plans to regenerate part of the region have been released for public debate. The Transport Strategy for Manchester City Centre aims to improve the area’s links and increase use in public transport.
The scheme, which could run up to 2020, was devised by the Council and the Greater Manchester Public Transport Executive (GMPTE).
However it has not met full approval from charities and campaign groups. Action for Sustainable Living is one group with concerns.
Lucy Henson, a spokesperson for the charity, said: “The idea of a bike hire service in Piccadilly is great, but public transport is not very bike-friendly. We are in favour of anything that might improve public transport and encourage people to use it. But if this plan doesn’t decrease carbon emissions, how does it fit in with the Council’s carbon reduction strategy?”
Some of the other ideas featured in the report included replacing all the Metrolink shuttles with newer models running on electric/diesel hybrid engines and upgrading Oxford Road, Victoria and Salford City train stations.
There have been questions asked of the initiative in relation to its environmental impact, with the Council having last year launched the Climate Change Call to Action, which planned to reduce emissions by over a third. But Council spokesperson Caty Cartwright pointed out that transport is not the only area they are focusing on in this area.
She said: “The Call to Action is not just about transport so on its own it was never intended to deliver the whole 40 per cent reduction. Officers are currently working with the Green City Team on an implementation plan to deliver these targets and this is still a work in progress.”
Caroline, 27 of Hulme said: “We need to stay on track with the plan to cut CO2. If this plan isn’t offering much to bring down the levels I’m not sure what else is going to be done, especially as so much comes from all of the cars and buses.”
Anyone wishing to view the strategy and contact the Council about it can see the document here.
Tom Evans
Previously on MULE Amy Conlock reported on claims that GMPTE had refused to consult cycling groups when deciding to continue the ban of bikes on Manchester’s trams.
More: Manchester, News
Comments
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the people in charge of transport should go to berlin or even Koln in germany. the systems areamazing.
Great for cyclists, totally integrated, loads of public transport etc Koln is smaller than manchester and it has an underground system! and its all really cheap.
Comment by tim on February 19, 2010 at 11:27 am -
A well-written and informative article. Nice to see that Manchester looking forward into many futures!
Comment by meredith on February 20, 2010 at 3:13 pm
The comments are closed.
