The future of transport in Greater Manchester

Businesses are able to play their part in shaping the future of transport across Greater Manchester as part of a strategic consultation.

The consultation is for the Local Transport Plan, which is being developed by the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).
The third of its kind, the plan will set out the authorities’ spending plans for transport for the next four years, as well as long-term proposals for the next 15 years.

The vision articulated in the plan is to support Greater Manchester to achieve its full potential by helping more residents to become active contributors to the economy.

Better connecting people to places and jobs will tackle unemployment and other long term problems in our most deprived communities.

A successful transport network will also allow businesses to access the right people and help the economy to grow.
The consultation covers buses, heavy rail, Metrolink, walking, cycling, fares, ticketing, passenger information, highways, health, safety and greener travel.

Councillor Ian Macdonald, Chair of GMITA, said: “The Local Transport Plan is a vital document that will define how we approach our transport policies and investment plans over the next few years and beyond.

“It covers all modes of travel and aims to give a clear indication of the direction we want our transport network to take.
“This is your chance to play a part in shaping the future of transport in Greater Manchester, so please share your views with us.”
The consultation will run until 24 December 2010, and the comments received will feed into the final plan which will be published at the end of March 2011.

More details on the plans, including an online form to submit a response to the consultation, are available at www.gmpte.com/LTP3.