A new report \u2013 conducted using in-house Transport for Greater Manchester resources along with external specialists \u2013 has said that the major expansion of the Metrolink network has helped to improve residents access to employment, education and healthcare as well as contributing to a reduction in car journeys and the associated improved air quality this brings.<\/p>\n
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These findings have come from a detailed monitoring and evaluation report into the Phase 3 expansion of Metrolink which saw new lines open to Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport between 2010 and 2015.<\/p>\n
The main findings are:<\/p>\n
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, is unsurprisingly delighted with the results of the report: \u201cMetrolink is a great example of what we can achieve when we have a locally run system that is accountable to, and delivered in the best interests of, our local communities.\u00a0\u00a0The study demonstrates the benefits Metrolink brings at both a regional and local level and is a good example of the Our Network vision in action: improving people\u2019s quality of life, connecting communities, opening opportunity and revitalising our town centres and local economies, whilst making neighbourhoods cleaner, greener and healthier.\u00a0\u00a0We have huge ambitions for our city-region and Metrolink will be extremely important as we build back better from the pandemic and make Greater Manchester the best place to grow up, get on and get old.\u201d<\/p>\n
Head of Metrolink at TfGM, Danny Vaughan, added: \u201cI am immensely proud of Metrolink and everything it represents. It is the beating heart of our transport network and is as iconic to Mancunians as the Tube is to Londoners.\u00a0\u00a0Our expansion programme has been a huge success and unrivalled in the light rail industry in terms of its size and scale of growth and I\u2019d like to thank everyone who has played a part.\u00a0\u00a0We have equally ambitious plans for the future, but our immediate focus is on supporting the region\u2019s recovery.\u00a0\u00a0How and when people work is going to be fundamentally different but we will adapt to this changing demand to ensure people can continue to travel with us safely and confidently to access jobs, retail and leisure opportunities over the coming weeks and months.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A new report \u2013 conducted using in-house Transport for Greater Manchester resources along with external specialists \u2013 has said that the major expansion of the Metrolink network has helped to improve residents access to employment, education and healthcare as well … Continue reading