Latest news with #TfGM
ITV News
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- ITV News
Signs come down for Manchester's Clean Air Zone after three years
Work has begun to take down hundreds of Clean Air Zone signs as the controversial scheme is "finally put to bed". The divisive project across Greater Manchester has cost more the Government more than £100m, after they instructed local leaders to bring down nitrogen dioxide levels in 2017. More than 1,300 signs were installed across Greater Manchester, warning motorists of daily charges on certain vehicles. But in early 2022, the scheme was paused due to public backlash. Since then, the Clean Air Zone signs have been covered with stickers saying "under review". In January 2025, the Government approved plans from local leaders to meet government clean air targets, arguing that rising costs would stop drivers upgrading their vehicles. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has now confirmed that work has begun to take the signs down. In a report, transport bosses said that 'the release of funds' for councils to remove or repurpose the signs, has been approved. Clean air campaigners criticised the decision to scrap the scheme, claiming that it is contributing to an 'epidemic' of serious lung problems and respiratory illnesses, but Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham insists charging motorists would not have helped. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the signs coming down, saying that the scheme is "finally being put to bed". Robert Downes, FSB's development manager in Greater Manchester, said: "While we've known the CAZ was all but dead and buried quite some time ago, it's symbolic and definitive to learn that plans are now in motion to bring down the signage. "Despite all the effort we put in to opposing the CAZ it was, ironically, the signs going up in the first place that triggered the massive reaction from both the business community and the wider public when they woke up to the huge financial implications of what was being proposed. "You only now have to look around the country to see other city regions who rushed ahead with similar schemes to see how they have hammered businesses, many of whom have been forced to close because of the unavoidable costs. "While it may have taken local decision makers a while to come around, it's always better late than never." The Clean Air Zone would have seen taxis, vans, lorries and buses that don't meet emissions standards charged up to £60 a day. Under the new "investment-led" approach, there will no charges. Instead, the government has allowed Greater Manchester to spend £86m on a series of other initiatives including grants to upgrade vehicles and measures to reduce traffic around the city centre. The lion's share of this funding will go towards zero emission and cleaner diesel buses which transport bosses say is already helping. More than 300 electric buses are now in use across Greater Manchester's Bee Network with plans to fully electrify the fleet by 2030. TfGM says this has contributed to air pollution dropping again in 2024. However, 38 places still had illegal levels of nitrogen council leader Eamonn O'Brien, who is the Clean Air lead for Greater Manchester, said: "We've always been focused on doing what's right for Greater Manchester, and by accelerating investment in our public transport network, we're showing that it's possible to improve air quality faster than if a charging Clean Air Zone had been introduced. "Investment in the Bee Network is enabling more people to choose cleaner, greener ways to get around – like public transport and walking or cycling – instead of driving. "As we deliver our Clean Air Plan alongside the Bee Network, with support from the government, we'll roll out the UK's first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system by the end of the decade and improve the air we all breathe for generations to come."
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Second double-decker bus crashes into bridge in Greater Manchester
A second double-decker has crashed into a low bridge in Greater Manchester in as many Metroline operated bus was being used for training when it struck the railway bridge on Ten Acres Lane, Newton Heath, earlier, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said. It comes less than 24 hours after a Bee Network bus crash in Eccles, Salford which injured 20 people.A TfGM spokesman said there were no passengers on board the Metroline bus and no one injured. The crash initially led to the cancellation of rail services between Manchester Victoria and the disruption has now cleared after an inspection found no damage to the railway bridge, National Rail said. Metroline, which operates bus services in Greater Manchester as part of TfGM's Bee Network, has been contacted for comment. TfGM's chief network officer, Danny Vaughan, said: "We will work with the operator to fully investigate this collision, and apologise to anyone whose journey was disrupted as a result." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- BBC News
Daughter of Oldham speeding driver victim backs safety campaign
The daughter of a man who was killed by a speeding driver has thrown her support behind a new road safety "No More Flowers" display unveiled by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) features 154 flowers, representing each of the young people killed or seriously injured between 2021 and 2023 as a result of Armstrong, from Oldham, was fatally struck by a vehicle while walking in Chadderton on 8 October 59-year-old's daughter, Joanne Briggs, said she hoped parents would see the display and "make their children aware" of the dangers of speeding. Muhammed Numan Ahmad was last month convicted of causing Mr Armstrong's death by dangerous was jailed for seven had been driving at speeds of up to 60mph (96km/h), considerably higher than the road's 40mph (64km/h) limit."I'm so angry that the stupid actions [of speeding drivers] have caused me and my family so much pain," said Ms Briggs. "I can't put into words how much it's done to us."She said she could not understand some motorists' desire to speed and questioned why those running late for work could not "just call beforehand and be late".Ms Biggs added: "I wish [the drivers] could see the consequences it has, and imagined it was their daughter crying their eyes out at home." Peter Boulton, TfGM's network director for highways, said his organisation wanted to reduce road casualties to zero by 2040."Any death or serious injury on our roads is one too many," he said. "Speeding is the leading cause of fatal road injuries which have a devastating impact on families like Mark's and countless others every people to slow down on the roads, Mr Boulton said: "The difference of a few miles per hour can mean the difference between life and death." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Shetland tunnels connecting to four islands could ‘transform' life – but locals are ‘frustrated' by controversial plans
Elsewhere, bold new plans to tunnel beneath a major UK city have been revealed ROAD DRAMA Shetland tunnels connecting to four islands could 'transform' life – but locals are 'frustrated' by controversial plans Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHETLAND Islands Council is said to be pushing ahead with plans to build inter-island tunnels. The underwater network will connect the four outlying isles in the Scottish archipelago. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Tunnels in Shetland to connect the four islands could 'transform' lives Credit: Getty However critics have taken a swipe at council bosses and highlighted that the nearby Faroe Islands has had a similar system in place for years. The 18 islands - under Denmark's sovereignty - are connected by 23 tunnels, including four that run beneath the sea. The multi-million pound project could "transform" the life of locals but some residents have raised concerns. Anne Anderson of salmon producer Scottish Sea Farms branded the absence of tunnels as "frustrating". Tunnel builder Andy Sloan added: "Without doubt, Shetland can copy what has been achieved in [the Faroe Islands]." Elsewhere, bold new plans to tunnel beneath a major UK city for a massive underground train and tram network have been officially unveiled. The dramatic move aims to transform how people travel in and out of the busy urban centre and tackle future congestion. The ambitious project, based in Manchester and led by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, would see trains and trams running below ground for the first time in the city's history, aiming to ease congestion and support future economic growth. Speaking at the launch of Greater Manchester's new 10-year strategy, Mr Burnham said early design work would begin immediately, with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) tasked with drawing up initial concepts. The network is expected to start with a new underground station at Manchester Piccadilly and could eventually stretch east-west and north-south across the region. Mr Burnham said: 'We are going underground. "We are building the Bee Network on the surface. "But if we achieve our economic ambitions, we'll struggle to cope with just that. "I'm going to ask TfGM to explore underground service options."
BBC News
15-07-2025
- BBC News
Greater Manchester tram disruption update as £150m work continues
More disruption is coming to the Metrolink tram network in Manchester this summer as part of its £150m have faced disruption for weeks in the city centre as Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) began replacing older sections of tram track between Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly station. TfGM bosses said the project was "two-thirds complete" and have named the date when roadworks will move towards the railway station and new diversions will be in place for works are set to move on from Piccadilly Gardens and Portland Street to Aytoun Street and Auburn Street, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. How long will the work take? The works on Aytoun Street and Auburn Street will start on Thursday and will continue until 10 August. What disruption will it cause? It means the new "traffic management measures" will be in place for Aytoun Street, as it is an area where tram tracks meet the road so it will be closed off measures include:A signed diversion route along Minshull Street, Portland Street, Piccadilly, Gore Street, and Chatham StreetThe Portland Street bus lane will be temporarily suspended eastbound, towards Newton Street, so all traffic will be able to use that stretch of road while the works are carried outChatham Street will be temporarily made two-way, with the 'no entry' from Piccadilly lifted for the works To allow local access to Aytoun Street, temporary two-way traffic access will be allowed on parts of Aytoun Street and Auburn Street where there is usually only one-way access What does it mean for tram users? Tram passengers - including those heading to the final Oasis gigs in Heaton Park - are also facing service changes in the city centre includes:The Altrincham and Bury lines will not stop at Piccadilly Gardens or Piccadilly stationAltrincham and Bury trams will run via Market StreetAll trams from Ashton-under-Lyne and the Etihad Campus will terminate at Piccadilly station, with signs in place encouraging passengers to walk to Market Street to continue their journey, or use the city centre free bus All trams from Eccles, including those going via MediaCityUK, will run to Victoria via Market StreetThe MediaCityUK to Etihad Campus peak time services will not run during the engineering worksMetrolink said there would be extra double trams on the Eccles - Victoria via MediaCityUKservice. What are the other planned tram works outside the city centre? Other tram works are also taking place outside the city centre including:Essential engineering works at Pomona, and on the Eccles line, on 2-10 August means no tram service will operate on the Eccles via MediaCityUK line or between Cornbrook and WharfsideServices on the Trafford Park line will only operate between Wharfside and the Trafford CentreTfGM said a bus replacement service would operate between Eccles and Piccadilly via Wharfside during the closure, serving all the affected stops. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
