UK: The £1·5bn Metrolink expansion programme which tripled the size of Greater Manchester’s light rail network has had a major impact on the region, according to research undertaken by Transport for Greater Manchester.
The report produced in-house with support from external specialists looked at the Phase 3 expansion project, which covered new lines and extensions to Rochdale via Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport in 2010-15.
The study found that the new routes have removed 38·8 million car-km/ year from the region’s roads, contributing towards Greater Manchester’s goal of 50% of all journeys being made by public transport and active travel by 2040. This saved 6 700 tonnes of CO2 in 2019-20, supporting the city-region’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2038.
The report shows that a major uplift in usage is possible when moving from a largely neglected rail service to a high-quality rapid transit system. An estimated 6 125 000 trips were estimated to have been made on the line to Rochdale via Oldham in 2019-20, up from 1 150 000 on the heavy rail service in 2008-09.
Modelling showed a significant improvement in public transport access to employment, further education and healthcare, particularly for more deprived communities, while businesses benefited from improved customer and labour force catchment areas as well as opportunities for business travel.
The report concludes that whilst pre-Covid-19 patronage had not reached the levels originally anticipated when forecasts were prepared before the 2008 recession, the expansion had led to a more than doubling of trips from around 20 million in 2010 to 45·6 million in 2019.
Away from TfGM’s own analysis, independent studies have found houses closer to a Metrolink stop command a price premium of 7·8% within 500 m compared to 1·5% when 1 250 m from a stop.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said ‘Metrolink 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. The 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’s quality of life, connecting communities, opening opportunity and revitalising our town centres and local economies, whilst making neighbourhoods cleaner, greener and healthier.
He said ‘we 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’.
