Andy Burnham sets out vision for next decade of growth across Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has set out his ambitions for delivering the next decade of growth in the city-region.

Speaking at Manchester’s Campfield on Wedneday 9th July, the Mayor shared the city region’s blueprint for a greener, fairer future at the launch of the The Greater Manchester Strategy 2025-2035. Mr Burnham set out ambitions across housing, regeneration, transport and skills, with plans promising “our best decade since the Victorian era.”

The Mayor also revealed plans for new bus routes, tramlines and train stations to connect thriving communities across the city region with an integrated, lower cost transport system – helping more people get out and access new opportunities. 

Work to bring Metrolink to Stockport will begin by 2030, while two commuter rail lines will join the Bee Network by next December. Another six will join by 2028, taking in most local services in the borough.

To help connect young people with work and study opportunities, Greater Manchester will also introduce half price bus travel for 18-21-year-olds from September 2025. A pilot of free 24-hour bus travel for older and disabled people will also be rolled out in August, lifting the morning restrictions before 9.30am.

The Greater Manchester Strategy also sets out plans for the technical education system, including through delivery of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate. This includes giving every young person who needs one access to a guaranteed high-quality 45-day work placement.

The Mayor set out plans for unlocking land for thousands of new homes, and pledged that, by 2027, Greater Manchester will be building more social housing than it is losing through Right to Buy.

Chairs were also announced to lead on major regeneration projects in the city-region. The Mayor announced Sebastian Coe as Chair designate of a new Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to spearhead the Old Trafford Regeneration scheme, while actor and comedian, Steve Coogan, will return to his hometown as  co-chair designate of the proposed Middleton MDC alongside Rose Marley, Chief Executive of Co-operatives UK. 

The new Mayoral development vehicles will help drive a new decade of inclusive growth across Greater Manchester, attracting investment and building pride in our towns, and build on successes seen already delivered by the Stockport MDC.

In addition to Old Trafford and Middleton, Bolton will also get an MDC to drive growth in its town centre, creating new jobs and homes. A new MDC will accelerate work to create an advanced manufacturing and materials cluster at Atom Valley, a massive site which straddles Oldham, Rochdale and Bury.  

An MDC covering Ashton and Stalybridge will create a national template for transport-led regeneration, while a new Mayoral Development Zone for Leigh and the surrounding area will help bring forward a major new University Campus for Health and Social Care.  

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

“Our first decade of devolution has shown how much we can achieve by working together. We’re the UK’s fastest growing economy and stand on the cusp of what I believe could be our best decade since the Victorian era  

“Our task for the next decade is to build a platform for success for all our residents. We’ve never believed in a “trickle-down” model of growth here – that if a few people and places do well then, somehow, that will benefit everyone. We know we will only change the fortunes of all our people and places if we’re prepared to intervene and fix the foundations of life.  

“That means making sure everyone has a healthy home, in a safe and welcoming community; it means offering people support to tackle the everyday stresses and strains of life; and it means helping all our young people to fulfil their potential by providing a clear line of sight to great jobs in our growing economy, with strong technical routes as well as academic ones. All this must be underpinned by a low-fare public transport system, connecting people to opportunities.  

“We’ve proved that we’re ready to forge our own place-based solutions and the Government has recognised this by making us the UK’s first ‘Prevention Demonstrator’. We’ll develop a better way of delivering public services, treating people as names not numbers and creating the conditions for everyone to live well, rather than waiting until people are in crisis to offer support.  

“Our vision is ambitious, but in my eight years as Mayor, I’ve learned that, when we pull together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve. There’s a long and proud tradition of collaboration in Greater Manchester. Devolution has turbocharged that and now we’re ready to deliver a new model of growth where no one is left behind.” 

Alongside the Growth Plan, a People Plan will help residents seize the opportunities that come with growth. ‘Live Well’ centres, community spaces and support offers will help remove the barriers holding people back, providing everyday support in every neighbourhood around jobs, health, housing, debt, food, family and social support and connection. 

Developed with input from partners across the city region, The Greater Manchester Strategy unites all sectors – public, private, academic, voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise – around one shared vision.