Rail plan to put public on track for trip to gym
TRANSPORT bosses are bidding to ‘take over’ Greater Manchester’s 97 rail stations to give them back to the community.
If the move is successful you could be visiting a GP, dentist, post office, gym, art gallery or even a gig at your local station.
Disused land and buildings around the region’s stations would be transformed too, with plans already mapped out for nearly 120 homes. The bold proposal would see Transport for Greater Manchester and the region’s 10 local councils take control of all local rail stations.
Currently, they are owned by Network Rail, with management falling to Northern Rail, TransPennine and Virgin on short-term leases.
But if granted Government approval, travel and transport leaders would launch a 150-year takeover by the end of 2018.
They are bidding to take control of small to medium stations shortly after this time, and for Manchester Oxford Road and Victoria would be transferred in the mid2020s.
Eventually, they would hope to take control of Piccadilly too, at a future date as part of a later plan subject to HS2.
Ploughing £400m of council and government cash into the project over 20 years, Greater Manchester leaders say stations like Stockport, Altrincham, Wigan, Bolton, Manchester Oxford Road and Victoria could become ‘beautiful spaces’ and community hubs with venues for concerts, festivals and weekend markets.
Sexual health centres, community gyms and bike repair units would spring up, transforming stations into destinations rather than just a place to catch a train.
Giving smoother transition between trains, trams and buses, hubs would also feature conference rooms, meeting space and training offices are part of the plan.
Not only that, but land around stations could become housing, shops and car parks - regenerating areas of Greater Manchester and helping to meet the goal of building 227,000 new homes by 2035.
TfGM says the plan, in which they would lease stations at a ‘peppercorn rate’ (nominal amount) would allow Network Rail and operators to focus their energies on train services.
Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Mayor, said the plan made financial sense, would benefit communities and put passengers first.
Jon Lamonte, TfGM chief executive, said: “Under the current system, Greater Manchester’s rail stations have not developed in line with customer expectations. This is an innovative approach that would transform local stations into transport hubs that are well-used, offer a pleasant travel experience and improve quality of life by offering a useful asset for the local community.”
The recent redevelopment of Irlam rail station is an example of what can be done, he said.
TfGM has submitted its ‘case for change’ to the Department for Transport.
Subject to an ‘in principle’ Government agreement by this summer, 94 stations would be transferred into Greater Manchester’s hands in the next two years, followed in around seven years’ time by Oxford Road and Victoria - and yet to be included in the plan - Piccadilly. Approval in principle is expected before the summer with a detailed transfer plan expected by the end of 2017.