Better Transport Partnership

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE - BETTER TRANSPORT

WHERE WE ARE NOW

Trafford has an efficient transport infrastructure and an excellent strategic location. Its proximity to Manchester International Airport which handles millions of passengers each year connects the Borough to destinations around the world. Trafford has a premier light rail network, Metrolink, good public transport links and easy access to the major transport nodes of Manchester International Airport, Piccadilly Railway Station and the motorway network. This transport network is one of the fundamental factors that contribute to Trafford being an attractive place to
live, learn, work and relax.

However, the infrastructure can become congested at peak times, some public transport links do suffer from poor reliability and parking can be a problem in some town centres. Therefore, in this chapter we focus on enhancing our already efficient transport infrastructure across all of the Borough, improving accessibility and quality of life to all communities.

WHERE WE WANT TO BE IN 2021

Currently Trafford is recognised as having a good transport infrastructure. By 2021, we want to have built on our successes to date in order to enhance the transport networks to the level of excellent – the best in the Manchester City Region.

We will have:

• A high-level of partnership between transport providers, businesses, health care providers and other sectors
• Common ownership of the transport policy
• High quality street scenes, particularly in our town centres
• A highly integrated network across all different transport nodes
• New developments served by excellent public transport links

WHAT WE WILL DO TO GET THERE

In order to meet our goals and create a transport infrastructure to be rivalled across the Region, we will invest time and money to make the most of the existing network. We will encourage more sustainable travel on public transport as well as highway improvements.

In the longer term we will:

• Improve the highway network We will carry out measures that reduce the backlog of maintenance and, in doing so, improve the quality of town centre and residential areas, reduce accident claims and encourage walking and cycling.
• Improve road safety We will create a safer environment for all road users; in particular, we will develop school travel plans and safer routes to school.
• Extend the Metrolink to the Trafford Centre, improving access to Trafford Park
• Improve the service on the heavy rail line from Liverpool, improving stations along the route and service provision

PRIORITIES FOR 2006-2009

• The first steps towards achieving these goals will be taken in 2006 to 2009 when we will:
• Increase the number of trams, especially at peak times
• Improve stations and the state of the tracks to benefit both rail and Metrolink systems
• Improve the quality, reliability and accessibility of the bus routes
• Integrate the different forms of transport through measures such as park and ride and transferable tickets
• Encourage more walking and cycling, particularly for shorter journeys
• Improve the safety and facilities of cycle routes
• Reduce the number of fatal and serious road accidents
• Improve the maintenance of the highway network, prioritising improvements that contribute towards town centre and regeneration schemes

To deliver these goals, we first need to develop a number of initiatives:

Fully develop the Transport Partnership
Whilst the Partnership has a good level of representation from the transport sector, we will encourage representation from businesses and health in order to develop and progress initiatives that will be of benefit to the whole community.

Purchase additional trams and carry out improvements on the Metrolink track  stations
We will work in partnership with the Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) to ensure that these improvements are delivered as soon as possible, to aid in the development of work priorities and also to improve the park and ride facilities available at some stations.

Deliver Quality Transport Corridors
In partnership with the Passenger Transport Executive we will ensure that these Corridors are delivered, in order to improve the reliability of bus services and also to improve the facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. We will also ensure that we involve developers in contributing to improving transport across the Borough.

Improve access
A priority is to improve the access to Trafford Park and the Trafford Centre from those areas in the Borough with low car ownership. We will pay particular attention to the needs of residents in Partington and to improving access for people with mobility problems.

Make the most of the Highway Network
We will take steps to manage congestion, particularly in relation to events at the Boroughs two international sporting stadiums and also around the Trafford Centre.

Address air quality issues
The Council’s vehicle fleet will transfer over to operating on cleaner, greener fuel and we will encourage our partners to do the same. We will begin improving the highway network and improving road safety straight away however investment will be needed beyond the first 3 years. Similarly whilst we can take immediate action to address air quality issues and manage highway congestion, this will be an ongoing process which can only be achieved by working with partners.

HOW YOU WILL KNOW THAT WE ARE SUCCEEDING

We will have:

• Achieved a 50% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents by 2011
• Reduced levels of congestion on the roads
• Improved air quality
• Reliable bus journeys along quality transport corridors
• Achieved a 10% increase in numbers of people using the bus by 2011
• Reversed the trend of deterioration in the highway network and moved up within the top 25% of highway authorities investment of maintenance performance
• Excellent pedestrian facilities which contribute towards improving individual walk journeys by at least one third by 2011
• Increased accessibility for those who are mobility impaired
• New trams
• Improved train stations and tracks

If you wish to find out more, please contact:

Geoff Ball
Head of Engineering, Architectural and Property Services
The Built Environment,
Waterside House,
Sale Waterside, Sale
Manchester,
M33 7ZF