Press Releases
08 July 2008
Trafford Park Transport Plans
The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority publish, today 8 July, plans to upgrade public transport running to and within the Trafford Park industrial estate, as part of the bid to the Transport Innovation Fund.
AGMA have already published proposals offering commuters, and potentially commercial vehicles, heading to Trafford Park on weekday peak times a 50% discount on the proposed congestion charge until 2016. This is recognition of the fact the proposed Metrolink tramline to the Trafford Centre cannot be completed before then, three years after the proposed introduction of the charge.
However, a comprehensive public transport package will be in place by 2013 including two core bus schemes, a fast and frequent Metrobus service running from Cornbrook Metrolink station and a free shuttle service running throughout Trafford Park linking the Metrobus route to key employment areas. Both these services will be up and running by 2010.
Other measures set to be put in place ahead of the introduction of any charge include improvements to nearby rail stations, improved bus services from neighbouring areas, walking and cycling improvements and the appointment of a dedicated travel coordinator, who would work with employers in the Park.
Lord Peter Smith, Leader of AGMA, said: “Trafford Park is of huge strategic importance to Greater Manchester’s economy. We recognise that public transport to the area is currently poor and these measures will in part address this issue.
“We want to offer drivers the option of a world-class public transport and this is the beginning of a process which will be completed when Metrolink arrives in 2016.”
Matt Colledge, Chair of GMPTA, said: “Trafford Park desperately needs a dramatic uplift in its public transport – both to support employers on the estate and to make sure that job opportunities on the estate are open to local residents. These measures have the potential to make a dramatic change to the way employees get to the estate.”
More than 30,000 people work in Trafford Park and while a recent survey has revealed many of the staff working in the area work conventional hours (starting between 7:30am and 9:30am) there are also a large number of people who work shifts. Because public transport does not currently operate at all times of day, the car has become the only viable means of transport for these employees.
Around 80% of work trips to Trafford Park are made by car, which is considerably higher than the Greater Manchester average of 70%. This underlines the need for radical improvements in public transport links to Trafford Park.
The Metrobus will provide a frequent and high quality service running between the Trafford Centre and Cornbrook interchange. The route will take it through the centre of Trafford Park, providing access to some major employment sites. It will run at a high frequency during peak periods and every 15 minutes outside of peak times.
The route planned for the Metrobus is similar to the route that Metrolink will run when finished and this service would eventually be replaced by the tram when the line is completed.
Workers and visitors looking to access other parts of Trafford Park will be able to take advantage of the free shuttle service – which will be similar to the free Metroshuttle service running in the city centre.
The Trafford Park shuttle would run every 10 minutes at peak and every 15 minutes off peak on a circular route between Trafford Bar Metro stop and the Trafford Centre providing employees with access to work and visitors access to locations including Old Trafford and The Imperial War Museum North.
Other improvements set to be in place by 2013 include park and ride facilities close to Junctions 9 and 10 of the M60 linked to the free shuttle service, improved facilities at Trafford Park rail station, a new rail station at White City again linked to the shuttle bus service, improved local bus links to Trafford Park and new interchange facilities at Cornbrook, the Trafford Centre and Trafford Bar.
Cyclists would see improved cycle lanes and all public transport users in the area would benefit from electronic real time information facilities. The TIF package would also see the appointment of a transport co-ordinator to work with businesses in Trafford Park and maximise the value offered by the public transport improvements.
Any responses should be sent to:
GM Future Transport
C/O GMPTE
2, Piccadilly Place
Manchester
M1 3BG
-Ends-
Dan McMullan
0161 817 4200
07799 667 413
Dan.mcmullan@connectpoint.co.uk
Sara Tomkins
0161 817 4200
07950 215 779
Sara.tomkins@connectpoint.co.uk
Rob Allen
0161 817 4200
Rob.allen@connectpoint.co.uk
