Consultation on the Bury Local Transport Strategy

Residents are invited to have their say on plans to shape the future of transport in Bury for the next 20 years and beyond.

The Local Transport Strategy will cover all modes of travel in the borough, and be used to help secure investment for transport.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “If we are to realise our Let’s Do It vision and our regeneration plans, we need a state-of-the-art transport system that is effective and affordable.

“We need our transport network to unlock new sites for development, to promote health and well-being through active travel, and to help meet our commitment to having fossil-fuel free travel by 2038.

“This Local Transport Strategy will complement the GM2040 Transport Strategy and other plans and strategies by setting out the transport interventions needed to address our own local transport issues, problems and challenges.”

The Local Transport Strategy will:

• support sustainable economic growth and regeneration – including the regeneration of our town centres and the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone.
• improve connectivity across the borough and beyond – ensuring that those who do not have cars can use reliable and affordable transport to get to work, leisure and education.
• reduce carbon emissions, with a reduction in private car use being a major contributor to this.
• encourage healthy and active lifestyles.
• improve the maintenance of the existing highway network, and;
• improve safety across the whole of the network, both on roads and public transport.

The strategy outlines investment priorities for different modes of transport, such as a new interchange in Bury town centre and improved Metrolink stops.

It also examines ways to provide more high frequency bus routes, more reliable services and cheaper fares, and create a network of high-quality walking and cycling routes.

While strategy seeks to reduce the number of journeys made by cars, it also aims to provide more capacity on the highway network, with new roads and junction improvements to ease congestion.

How to take part in the consultation

The consultation is now open and runs until 30 June 2023. Until then, you can provide comments:

• By completing the online survey at http://www.onecommunitybury.co.uk/bury-transport-strategy

• By email to: engagement@bury.gov.uk
• Paper copies of the questionnaire can be requested from engagement@bury.gov.uk

Prefer to see the plans and give your views in person? The following public engagement sessions have been arranged:

• Tottington: Thursday 1 June (4.30-6.30pm) at the Tottington Centre
• Bury: Wednesday 7 June (5.30-7pm) at Bury Town Hall
• Ramsbottom: Thursday 8 June (4.30-6.30pm) at Ramsbottom Library
• Whitefield: Monday 12 June (4.30-6.30pm) at Whitefield Methodist Church, Oasis Centre
• Radcliffe: Thursday 15 June (4.30-6.30pm) at Radcliffe Library
• Prestwich: Thursday 22 June (4.30-6.30pm) at Prestwich Library

ENDS

Press release issued: 17 May 2023.