Latest moves to realise the Northern Gateway vision for the economy and a “generation of job creation"

Plans to transform Bury’s economy and create thousands of jobs are moving forward with the latest proposals for the Northern Gateway.

The Northern Gateway site, on the border of Bury and Rochdale, will help to rebalance the Greater Manchester economy and bring sustainable growth and prosperity to this part of the region.

Next week, Bury councillors will be asked to endorse a Transport Framework Document, which sets out the transport infrastructure and services needed to unlock the full potential of the site. This framework will also be essential in securing the investment needed to deliver the required transport infrastructure from various funding sources.

The cabinet will also consider endorsing a Social Value Strategy and Delivery Plan for the site, which will maximise the benefits for local communities and businesses across the site and wider region.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “The Northern Gateway site is an absolute game-changer, and crucial to our ambitions to boost our economy and create thousands of good quality jobs – we really are talking about a generation of job creation.

“As the largest employment allocation within the Places for Everyone plan, Northern Gateway supports the delivery of our ‘Let’s Do It!’ 2030 plan to make Bury achieve faster economic growth than the national average, with lower than national average levels of deprivation through the development of employment space to enable job creation and upskilling of residents, leading to economic growth.”

The Transport Framework includes proposals for the short, medium and long-term, including:

• Creating sustainable transport, linking communities across Bury, Rochdale and the regional centre

• Aiming for work trips to be 20% by public transport, 10% walking, wheeling and cycling, and 70% car driver and passenger

• Direct, frequent and reliable local public transport connections to nearby centres in Rochdale, Bury and North East Manchester, supported by express transit connections to Manchester City Centre and universities, enhancing regional accessibility and opportunity.

• All communities within a 5km catchment of the site to have access to safe, high-quality walking, wheeling and cycling routes to/from the Northern Gateway site, creating an inclusive, connected active travel network that supports healthy, sustainable journeys for all.

• Targeted highway improvements that enhance access, mitigate capacity and safety impacts, and prioritise people and sustainable travel by embedding ‘Streets for All’ principles alongside well-designed access and parking strategies.

• Overall support for sustainable travel across the Atom Valley area and GM’s ambition for zero net increase in car traffic by 2040, enabling transformational growth.

The proposals will also need to be approved by Rochdale Council, the GMCA and TfGM.

ENDS

Press release issued: 29 October 2025.