Improving journeys: Manchester

Aerial computer generated image showing the proposed changes to Oldham Road, Queens Road, and Hulme Hall Lane.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is working with Manchester City Council (MCC) to improve journeys for people around Manchester, including to and from the city centre, with a focus on catching the bus, walking, wheeling and cycling.

Making these improvements is a vital part of building the Bee Network: Greater Manchester’s joined-up transport network, helping us to make journeys more reliable, safer and more sustainable.

In autumn 2024 nearly 2,000 people responded to a survey, with residents having their say on improving journeys around Manchester. Working together TfGM and Manchester City Council have listened to this feedback. We have looked at how we can make improvements on select routes, starting with Oldham Road A62.

In March 2026, we asked people to share their views on the latest plans for Oldham Road. We’re using the latest feedback to shape more detailed proposals, which will be shared for further consultation later this year.

Find out more about previous engagement.

The improvements people want to see:

Buses to come more often and be more reliable
Quicker bus journeys
Safer places to cross the road and wider pavements for walking
Better, protected cycle lanes and safer crossings for people who ride bikes to keep them separate from pedestrians and motor vehicles.

Working together TfGM and Manchester City Council have listened to this feedback. We have looked at how we can make improvements on these routes, starting with Oldham Road A62.

Oldham Road (A62)

We want to make travelling around Manchester easier for everyone.

Following feedback, the proposed changes are to:

Add more bus lanes so buses don’t get stuck in traffic.
Make bus stops nicer, with better signs and places to wait.
Build cycle lanes that are separate from cars.
Improve crossing facilities to help people cross safely
Fix busy junctions so they’re easier and safer to cross.
Restrict vehicular access for general traffic to Tib Street from Swan Street and Foundry Lane (designs under review).

Image one: Aerial computer generated image showing proposed changes to Oldham Road in the direction of Tib Street.

Aerial computer generated image showing proposed changes to Oldham Road in the direction of Tib Street.

Image two: Aerial computer generated image showing the proposed changes to the junction of Oldham Road, Butler Street, and Livesey Street.

Aerial computer generated image showing the proposed changes to the junction of Oldham Road, Butler Street, and Livesey Street.

Image three: Aerial computer generated image showing the proposed changes to Oldham Road near to Naylor Street.

Aerial computer generated image showing the proposed changes to Oldham Road near to Naylor Street.

Image four: Aerial computer generated image showing the proposed changes to Oldham Road, Queens Road, and Hulme Hall Lane.

Aerial computer generated image showing the proposed changes to Oldham Road, Queens Road, and Hulme Hall Lane.

Take a look at the engagement already completed for this project:

Last autumn, Transport for Greater Manchester and Manchester City Council asked people across Manchester how their journeys could be improved, with a focus on catching the bus, walking, wheeling and cycling.

This is because we have multi-million-pound government funding for schemes to improve our local streets and make journeys easier, safer and more reliable for everyone.

Around 2,000 people responded, and mentioned a range of areas where they thought things could be better, including:

More frequent buses
More reliable journeys by bus and quicker journey times
More safe crossings and wider pavements
More protected cycle lanes and safer road crossings for cyclists

Walking & Wheeling feedback (337 respondents). Common themes, included:

Pavement parking being a nuisance, poor quality pavements, not enough safe crossings, walking sometimes feels difficult and unsafe.
More pleasant, well-lit, and accessible walking routes are needed, especially around schools and busy roads.
Action against dangerous driving and pavement parking is a priority.

Cycling feedback (257 respondents). Common themes, included:

Cycle lanes are often not protected from traffic or connected to each other, which makes many routes feel unsafe, or they are blocked by parked cars and debris.
Better maintenance of routes, more secure bike storage and safer junctions are needed.
People want cycling to be a realistic, safe option for all ages and abilities.

Bus passenger feedback (980 respondents). Common themes, included:

Buses are often unreliable, infrequent, and overcrowded, especially at peak times.
People want accessible real-time information, better journey planning tools and more direct routes to where people want to go.
Safety at bus stops and on buses is a concern, particularly at night and in busy areas.

Driver feedback (178 respondents). Common themes, included:

Roads are congested, parking is expensive or limited, and poor road surfaces are major frustrations.
Drivers want quicker, more reliable journeys and better parking options.

Working together, TfGM and Manchester City Council have used these views to inform plans and look at next steps. Improving these routes is part of Greater Manchester’s vision for the Bee Network, as we look to make people’s journeys quicker, easier and safer.

Better transport is key to a growing Greater Manchester, where businesses can thrive and people can enjoy happy, healthy lives. As part of this work, we’re focussing on five of the busiest routes in and around Manchester.

These routes are:

Oldham Road (A62)
Ashton New Road (A662)
Rochdale Road (A664)
Wilmslow Road (B5117)
Stockport Road (A6)

We are now looking at how we can make improvements and develop plans to share with residents. Residents will be given an opportunity to have their say on each of the proposals.

Why is your feedback important?

Your feedback is essential in helping us understand the improvements residents want to see and, where possible, identify the changes we can make.

We use feedback to make changes, including:

Shaping future highway designs and transport schemes.
Prioritising improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure – including more crossings, better pavements, protected cycle lanes, and safer junctions.
Improving bus services.
Managing roads and parking.
Reviewing parking policies and enforcement, especially around schools and busy destinations.
Targeting congestion hotspots and repairing roads.

We will continue to speak with groups and communities as we develop these plans and as part of the next stages of consultation. We will also share our findings and the next steps through this webpage. newsletters and events.

In March 2026 we shared plans for Oldham Road, which is a key route in and out of the city centre.

We’re using the latest feedback to shape what Oldham Road will look like.

What happens next

All feedback will be carefully reviewed and used to shape the next stage of design.

The results will inform more detailed proposals, which will be shared for further consultation later this year.

Funding

Funding for the work has been provided through the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), which saw Greater Manchester awarded £1.07bn to help deliver the Bee Network.

Funded by UK Government logo