Workstream 2 - Travel and Transport
2.1 The final two eRCVs were received in April and following the installation of cameras and other software, they are now fully operational, taking the total eRCV count to 27 (50% of the waste fleet).
2.3 Recruitment is underway for a Project Officer to support the embedding of the Staff Travel Policy and promotion of the associated staff travel incentives. The main focus for the new post will be working with Council Services to understand specific opportunities and challenges preventing sustainable business travel.
2.4 Funding from the Active Travel Fund (ATF) and the Mayor's Challenge Fund is supporting work on several Bee Network schemes: Consultation on the Levenshulme and Burnage scheme is complete and detailed designs are being progressed. Designs also progressing on the Fallowfield Loop/Manchester Cycleway with a tender package being compiled. Consultation on Wythenshawe has taken place with the decision made to withdraw the scheme due to lack of buy in. ATF City Centre Triangle is out for consultation with a new route along London Road to be used as the preferred option.
In May Manchester City Council was awarded a total of £3.95m under ATF Round 3 to support delivery of the Alan Turing Way and Fountain Street/High Street active travel schemes. A consultant to help produce an Active Travel Strategy and Investment Plan is expected to be appointed in June 2022.
2.5 £1.07bn of UK Government funding for Greater Manchester (GM) has been confirmed. The funding is part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement for 2022-2027 and will be used to deliver a range of projects across GM including rail, tram, bus, active travel, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The projects are expected to provide significant benefits for sustainable transport in Manchester.
GM was awarded £94.8m for measures under the GM Bus Service Improvement Plan, which included proposals for integrated ticketing, fare revenue subsidy, and operational infrastructure. This was less than half of the funding requested and risks to bus services remain.
2.6 Key schemes in the City Centre Transport Strategy continue to be delivered through funding under the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS). Concept designs and outline business cases are in the development phase for Deansgate, Bus Corridors and Victoria North Streets for All and due to be delivered by late 2022.
£25m capital funding has been secured for Ancoats Mobility Hub from Homes England and further work is underway to commission transport planning for Ancoats Active Neighbourhood scheme for funding under CRSTS.
2.8 Work continues to develop incentives and provide sustainable commuting options for staff.
An EV leasing proposal is currently being developed with MCC Finance team and GMCA. The next stage is to undertake soft market testing with potential providers.