It’s back to school next week for most Greater Manchester pupils, which will see thousands of extra cars on the roads at peak times, along with busier trains, trams and buses.
Alongside the rush back to school and work after the traditional summer holiday period, commuters across Greater Manchester should also take into account a number of developments on the transport network which may influence their journeys.
If you commute by car or bus, don’t forget to plan ahead for the additional 10%-15% of traffic likely to be on the roads – particularly in Manchester, with the ongoing partial closure of the Mancunian Way, other city centre works and associated diversions.
Manchester City Council has been working closely with United Utilities to reopen the affected section of the Mancunian Way as quickly as possible, and is now aiming to reopen both of the westbound lanes next week under a contraflow system.
The authority has also scaled back existing sites and cancelled any additional roadworks in the city as far as possible to reduce the pressure on surrounding roads while the flood-damaged highway is repaired.
In addition, Metrolink services through St Peter’s Square have now been restored, reconnecting the north and south sides of the network for the first time in eight weeks. Full details of the services and connections now available can be found here.
Rail passengers are reminded that changes to trains through Bolton arising from Network Rail’s Farnworth tunnels project, will continue. All the information about that programme, including changes to train services, can be found here.
Follow @OfficialTfGM or @MCRMetrolink on Twitter for regular travel updates and advice. For the latest information on bus service changes, check with your operator. For First, check here. For Stagecoach, check here. For Arriva, check here.
Travel Choices
You may find that the back-to-school period is the perfect opportunity to explore other ways of commuting.
There are plenty of choices for people who want to leave the car at home, beat congestion, or just try something different.
With more than 2,000 FREE park-and-ride spaces available across Greater Manchester’s tram, train and bus networks, mixing different ways of travelling is one of the options available. You can find out more here.
Are you a parent? Transport for Greater Manchester has plenty of advice on term-time travel to school or college, so visit our Back To School pages to find out about concessionary fares, Yellow School Bus services specifically for pupils and other school bus services that can be used by other commuters too.
You’ll also find a link to the Traveline online journey planner which can help you plan a journey door-to-door for yourself or your child by bus, train or tram. TfGM’s online Route Explorer also puts information on bus services and timetables at your fingertips.
National Rail can help you plan journeys by train.
If you want to swap the car for a healthier option, why not give cycling a go? Visit TfGM’s cycling pages to access cycling advice, cycle maps and information on secure cycle hubs where you can leave your bike.
You can book free adult cycle training to help you feel more confident cycling in traffic or maintaining and repairing your bike – and with TfGM’s Life On 2 Wheels Cycle Challenge starting on 2 September, you can even sign up to pedal for prizes.
Walking is also a great option for shorter journeys to work and school. Visit our Walking Works site for advice on travelling on foot.
TfGM can also provide advice and support to businesses which help employees explore their travel choices, including walking, cycling, public transport and car-sharing.
Helen Ramsden, TfGM’s Head of Travel Choices, said: “We will see an increase in traffic on the roads when the new school year begins – we’re expecting to see up to 10-15% more cars on the road from next week.
“We’d always encourage people to consider all their travel choices for commuting, including walking, cycling, public transport and car-sharing. This can help you beat the traffic, be better for the environment, and, if you make all or part of your journey by bike or on foot, is healthier too.
“Businesses that know how their staff travel to work can plan more easily for situations such as bad weather or major events. A travel plan can also reduce your site’s carbon footprint, cut down on staff absences and improve wellbeing.
“If your business doesn’t already have a travel plan, take a look at the Travel Choices pages on our website and you’ll be able to find out how to set one up.”
