More coaches and congestion

COACHES are likely to play a bigger part in providing Oldham’s transport needs, Greater Manchester leaders believe.

And the plan warns that Oldhamers will pay for the long-awaited Metrolink line with worsening congestion caused by town-centre roadworks in the next two years.

The area’s local transport plan for the next 15 years has been drawn up by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee.

It acknowledges the importance of coaches as cost effective for students and older people and vital for tourism, events and shows.

The 189-page document says: “We will also work with operators to examine the scope for express buses or coaches to operate on long-distance corridors, especially where there are no rail services or where parallel rail routes are overcrowded and highway (such as motorway) routes are congested.”

The plan also concedes that buses are vital to the whole future of the area.

“In the longer term, as the economic situation improves, the bus network as a whole will need to attract significantly more passengers if we are to achieve our aim of economic growth without additional congestion,” it says.

On Metrolink works, the plan warns: “ Highways have been disrupted as a consequence of these works — this is likely to get significantly worse in Oldham town centre in the coming two years.”

But spelling out the advantages, it adds: “By 2014 there will be 20 stops on the Manchester– Oldham–Rochdale route and connections through to Manchester city centre, Bury and south Manchester.”