MANCHESTER is progressing the next phase of extending the Bee public transport network with the allocation of £6m in funding to advance planning work on several proposed light rail extension and tram-train projects as well as provisional work on an underground system.

The funding will support the following schemes, all of which will contribute to the City Council’s pledge to connect each borough in Greater Manchester to the Metrolink network:

  • finalising the Strategic Outline Case this autumn to extend the Metrolink light rail network to Stockport from East Didsbury. Construction is expected to begin in 2030. The case will also explore the potential for tram-train connections to Hazel Grove, Tameside via Denton and Reddish, and Manchester Airport
  • starting work this year on the Strategic Outline Case for completion of the Western Leg of Metrolink’s Airport Line, which would serve a number of key growth areas at the Airport, Wythenshawe Hospital and Davenport Green. The case will also explore the potential for tram-train connections to Stockport, Altrincham and the Mid-Cheshire Line
  • the start of preparation work in summer 2026 on the Strategic Outline Case for expanding Metrolink connections to Salford Crescent and Salford Quays, and to the northwest of the city-region including options for links to Leigh, Wigan and Bolton
  • further work this year to look at all the options for Middleton & the Northern Gateway and Trafford Waters, Port Salford & the Western Gateway and shape their business cases
  • ongoing work to protect routes for longer-term schemes to Glossop, Hadfield, Marple and Warrington, and
  • early development work on plans for a new underground system, which will complement plans for east-west underground connections as part of the proposed Liverpool-Manchester Railway.

Work is also set to continue on developing plans for an Oldham - Rochdale - Heywood - Bury tram-train route. Construction is earmarked to begin here by 2028.

Fleet renewal

The expansion plans also include the procurement of a new fleet of LRVs, which Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says will be double the length of the existing vehicles and have full-width gangways to maximise onboard capacity and meet growing demand for Bee network services.

“This latest funding means we can develop the case for a pipeline of both tram and tram-train new lines and extensions – and ultimately underground infrastructure in the city centre – to make sure we get a public transport system befitting the global city region we are,” says Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester.

“More people are getting on board the Bee Network, but we can’t afford to be complacent. We need to plan ahead to accommodate continued growth, with more tram, bus and train routes giving people a viable alternative to the car.”

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