Greater Manchester’s ambitious plans to expand its tram and tram-train network have been given fresh momentum with GBP 6 million in funding to progress business cases for new routes and extensions. The investment supports the development of a pipeline of projects that form part of the long-term expansion of the Bee Network, the city-region’s integrated transport system.

The funding, confirmed by the Bee Network Committee earlier this week and discussed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) today, will advance proposals for major new connections and extensions.

The Mayor and council leaders have set a target for 90% of people in the city-region to be within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram service running every 30 minutes by 2030. This is part of a broader pledge to link all ten boroughs to the Metrolink network and deliver a long-term, sustained expansion of public transport.

Key schemes in development

The GBP 6 million will finance early planning work on several priority projects, including:

• Metrolink to Stockport: Finalising the Strategic Outline Case for the East Didsbury to Stockport extension this autumn, with construction expected to begin in 2030. The case will also consider tram-train links to Hazel Grove, Tameside and Manchester Airport.
• Airport Line ‘Western Leg’: Work starting this year on extending Metrolink to serve Manchester Airport growth areas, Wythenshawe Hospital and Davenport Green, with potential tram-train links to Stockport, Altrincham and the Mid-Cheshire Line.
• North-West expansion: From 2026, preparation of a Strategic Outline Case for links from Salford Crescent and Quays to Leigh, Wigan and Bolton.
• Extensions under review: Ongoing business case work for Middleton and the Northern Gateway, and Trafford Waters, Port Salford and the Western Gateway.
• Future schemes: Protecting potential routes to Glossop, Hadfield, Marple and Warrington.
• Underground development: Early planning for a new city-centre underground network, designed to integrate with proposals for the Liverpool–Manchester Railway.
• Tram-train pilot: Continued work on the Oldham–Rochdale–Heywood–Bury line, with construction targeted for 2028.

New fleet and capacity planning

The report to local leaders also highlighted plans to acquire ‘next generation’ trams. These would be double-length, fully walk-through vehicles designed to add capacity to the Metrolink fleet and meet the growing demand for Bee Network services.

Leaders stress importance of connectivity

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

Every part of our city region needs to feel the benefits of Greater Manchester’s growth. We’ve pledged to connect our people and communities to new opportunities better than ever before. This latest funding means we can develop the case for a pipeline of both tram and tram-train new lines and extensions – and ultimately underground infrastructure in the city centre – to make sure we get a public transport system befitting the global city region we are.

He added that long-term planning is essential to support population and economic growth, giving people more alternatives to the car.

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said:

Better transport is a core enabler of economic growth, higher productivity and greater access to homes, jobs and wider opportunity across the whole of Greater Manchester. This new development work will help ensure that we have a pipeline of projects to build on everything that is already being done across bus, tram, rail and walking, wheeling and cycling as we create an integrated Bee Network for the people and businesses of this fast-growing city-region.

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