TfGM and Network Rail announce partnership for city-wide transport and regeneration strategy

Network Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have announced a new partnership to invest in a joint vision for Greater Manchester’s city-centre railway stations.

The collaboration agreement, the first of its kind between the two organisations, is a major step forward in bringing together both land and infrastructure to create a better-connected Greater Manchester through investment in central railway stations in Manchester and Salford. Network Rail and TfGM, working together with key stakeholders, will establish future regeneration opportunities at these stations and attract partners for delivery of future projects.

Network Rail own over 90 stations in Greater Manchester and more than 5.6 million journeys are made across the TfGM network each day. The partnership will focus on transport upgrades and supporting regeneration that allow the two cities to meet the demands of future population growth (Greater Manchester is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the UK) and further support the regional economy.

Over the next 12 months the two organisations will work with key stakeholders and future partners on proposals across six stations: Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road, Deansgate, Salford Central and Salford Crescent. 

Through the new Trailblazer Deal struck with government, there is a huge opportunity for Greater Manchester to deliver the Bee Network, its vision for a fully integrated public transport system, with ambition for full integration of local rail services by 2030. This partnership will play a part in helping with its future delivery.

As city centres are changing in a post-Covid landscape, rail stations provide significant opportunities for growth and regeneration by improving space to better connect them with the people and places they are designed to serve.

The two organisations, alongside future partners and supporters will commit to the following shared key goals:

• Integrated transport system: Deliver a modern, integrated transport system.  This will attract customers and provide a service which encourages people to use public transport first and reduce reliance on cars
• Development around stations: Take a joined-up approach to securing additional funding and maximising commercial development opportunities around the stations and assets.  This will increase the attractiveness of development opportunities by looking at them in a comprehensive way
• Placemaking: Consider each station within the community, heritage, and cultural context to ensure wider social value is delivered. Creating a joined-up strategy for all the stations and an overarching vision which supports an integrated transport system
• Towards Net Zero Carbon: Ensure Climate Change and the journey to Net Zero is a key focus and is a priority for strategic decisions to support the stations
• Access for all: Improve accessibility for inside and around the stations and deliver ease of movement between the stations and the wider city

Commenting on today’s announcement, Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, Chair of Network Rail said: “This is a landmark moment for Manchester and Salford, to see our two organisations build a partnership team to make the best of our resources and expertise. Working jointly with the Local Authorities we are putting passengers and rail services at the forefront of infrastructure investment and wider neighbourhood improvements.”