Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has joined a coalition of twelve of England’s Combined Authority Mayors to sign up to an ambitious joint statement pledging to create a new national walking, wheeling and cycling network, enabling millions more happy, healthy and green journeys.
In Greater Manchester, this means a commitment to continuing the city-region’s ambitious plans around the Bee Network.
Working alongside local authorities and partners, by 2027 TfGM anticipates 176km of Bee Network standard segregated walking, wheeling and cycling routes will have been completed across the city-region.
Greater Manchester has committed Increasing the number of School Streets to 60 in the next year.
The long-term goal is to increase the number of School Streets to 100 by 2028.
it will build a network of connected routes that will link up or extend routes on the existing cycle network, aligning with neighbourhood improvements to connect local communities to the rest of the Bee Network and will integrate accessible walking, wheeling and cycling routes to make it easier for people to access public transport.
The Bee Network is having a positive impact on the number of people opting to walk short journeys, rather than travel by car – outlined in the latest Annual Report.
In the last five years, Greater Manchester has seen the proportion of people walking short journeys increase from 52% to 57%. The proportion of short journeys being taken by car is also down from 41% to 36%.
As Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey attended a summit in York with mayors, the National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, and the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty to kickstart the plans.
The group of mayors have committed to delivering a national network of 3,500 miles of safe routes connecting housing to schools and targeting areas where health and air quality are poorest, helping to reduce stark health inequalities.
This will help 20 million residents across all the mayors’ regions meet recommended activity levels, reducing risks of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and depression while supporting the Government’s Plan for Change by easing pressure on the NHS and boosting growth.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
“Helping more people to walk, wheel, and cycle around Greater Manchester is at the very heart of the Bee Network and we’re working hard to create a transport system that works for everyone – whether you’re hopping on a tram, catching a bus, or choosing to travel in a more active way.
“We have delivered 136km of active travel routes across Greater Manchester so far and are really seeing the difference this is making, with cycling up and more people choosing active travel over the car for short journeys.
“I’m proud to state my ongoing support for active travel and alongside Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey and our local councils we will grow our network further still, increase the number of School Streets and expand our bike hire scheme, making it even easier and safer for people to get around in ways that are healthy, affordable, and good for the planet.”
