transport Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Stockport Liberal Democrats

Stockport’s Bus Blueprint

Stockport’s A6 bus service is set to be used as a blueprint for success in other towns in the North West.

The A6 Manchester-Stockport bus route is one of the busiest in the country, with more than 10 million passengers using the 192 service every year.

But as a result of Stockport Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and Stagecoach working together the A6 bus service has high scores for regularity, reliability and punctuality. It also scored well for high levels of customer service and passenger information.

The improvement in the service on the A6 means that Stockport’s partnership scheme is set to be copied in Salford, Rochdale and Wigan.

Our local 192 bus service calls along the A6 route every 5 minutes in the peak. Operator Stagecoach is investing £11.3m in 40 new hybrid-electric vehicles on the 192 route, buses that will be equipped with free Wi-Fi for passenger use.

The operator has also introduced more inspectors on the route to help improve the regularity of bus services. Buses are now cleaned mid-service at Manchester Piccadilly while they wait for their scheduled departure.

Councillor Iain Roberts, Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development at Stockport Council, said: “It’s great news that the Quality Bus Partnership in Stockport is being held up as a shining example for other routes. We’ve worked hard, alongside our partners, to maintain and improve the route along the A6 for the benefit of passengers.”

A new bus turnaround will be built south of Stockport town centre by the end of April, and Stagecoach plans to build a new passenger ‘Park and Ride’ at Hazel Grove with space for just over 400 vehicles.

Verging on a solution

Ann Smith and John Reid are leading a campaign to improve some of the grass verges that are in need of repair.

Verges were first installed to make the area look greener. Although this helped in some situations, in many they have become places for cars to park, and have become bald and unsightly.

It was Ann’s work when she was a Councillor that led to wooden posts being fitted on some verges, stopping parking. Now Ann wants the Council to help with a long term solution to the verges on Garners Lane and Bird Hall Road.

“I want the Council to consider a more practical, long term solution,” said Ann. “That’s why I brought the an Executive Councillor to the site. He promised a survey would now be conducted.”

Ann & John will keep residents informed about any further developments.

Twenty’s Plenty for Bracadale

The speed limit on Davenport’s Bracadale estate is to be lowered to 20 miles per hour.

John Reid is campaigning for more residents to be given the option of taking their roads down to 20mph limits.

Road charity RoSPA supports 20mph zones because the evidence shows it helps reduce injuries and casualties.

Even when unenforced by Greater Manchester Police, 20mph zones work in reducing the average speed of drivers by a few miles per hour. That might not sound like a lot but, if there’s an accident, it can make the difference between someone receiving a minor injury and them being very seriously injured – or worse.

Now a council committee has agreed to lower the speed limit on Bracadale Drive and adjoining roads.

“This is a positive move to make the Bracadale area that bit safer,” said John Reid.

Meanwhile Ann has written to local residents to update them on trees hanging from the neighbouring fishing club.

The trees were left to grow wild, into residents’ gardens and drives, until Ann raised the issue with club owners. Since then the trimming programme has kept the trees under control.

Relief Road Update

A Stockport Council survey has shown that 70% of local residents are in favour of building the new A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road.

Working with Cheshire East and Manchester, Stockport Council sent out over 85,000 consultation surveys on the various options for the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road. In addition, the consultation was widely advertised and available online through the website and social media.

The three local authorities will vote on the preferred route being drawn up following the consultation, with a further consultation being held on the preferred route.

The current target is to complete the road in 2017.

The A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road will take traffic off our local roads and generate up to 5,000 new jobs, making an important contribution to Stockport’s economic growth.

The survey responses show approximately 70% in favour of the road, 10% against and 20% having no view.