Investment in Active Travel Initiatives by Greater Manchester's Bee Network
Greater Manchester is set to take a significant step forward in its mission to reduce reliance on private vehicles and promote the use of public and active travel options, with 2025 identified as a key year in this strategy.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has approved an investment of over 20 million GBP to support walking, wheeling, and cycling initiatives in the region. This funding, allocated by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), forms part of the Bee Network programme, which aims to deliver a fully integrated public transport and active travel system.
The investment will be directed across several key areas. 8.6 million GBP will be allocated for active travel infrastructure improvements, including upgrading pavements, cycle routes, and crossings. Further, 2 million GBP will be used for Bee Network crossings, particularly around schools, to ensure safer and more accessible routes for children.
1.5 million GBP will be allocated for cycle hire, including the addition of e-bikes to the fleet and extending the Starling Bank Bike hire contract to 2028. Additionally, 1.7 million GBP will support local initiatives such as bike libraries, 'walk to school' projects, and cycle training.
1.1 million GBP will be used for remedial works on existing active travel routes, improving accessibility for people with mobility needs. Meanwhile, 2 million GBP will be used for School Streets infrastructure maintenance and enhancement.
The latest funding allocation is welcomed as it addresses several areas requiring significant investment, as identified in last year's Active Travel Annual report. These areas include improving safety and accessibility to encourage more people to walk, wheel, or cycle.
In 2023, around one-third of all trips in the city-region were made using active modes. Over the past five years, the proportion of short journeys taken on foot has increased from 52% to 57%, while car use for short trips has fallen from 41% to 36%.
500,000 GBP has been approved for new secure cycle parking facilities and improved signage on active travel routes. Furthermore, 2.2 million GBP will be allocated for local authorities to develop new active travel projects in line with Bee Network standards.
Walking, wheeling, and cycling remain central to Greater Manchester's transport ambitions, connecting people to public transport stops and stations. TfGM anticipates that by 2027, 176 kilometres of segregated walking, wheeling, and cycling routes will be in place.
The funding was agreed at a GMCA meeting on 22 August and forms part of the Bee Network programme. This investment is part of a joint commitment to increase access to healthy and environmentally sustainable modes of travel.
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