Oldham Council’s Cabinet has agreed a new vision that looks to cut vehicle emissions and get more residents walking, cycling and using public transport.
The town’s new Transport Strategy supports the borough’s ambitions to create a healthier place over the next 15 years - one where people want to live, work and visit.
The report sets out several ways that the council and our partners will work together to deliver an integrated transport system in the coming years and running all the way through to 2040.
These include:
- Improving walking and cycling routes and continuing to deliver the Bee Network, plus promoting campaigns to get more people walking and cycling
- Improving safety and reducing fear of crime for all people using our transport networks.
- Improving public transport and connectivity so residents can benefit – making it easier for them to get to work, take advantage of any employment and training opportunities, and enjoy what our borough has to offer in their spare time.
- Maintaining the highway network so it is fit for purpose for years to come.
- Improving air quality so the air people breath is cleaner, helping to improve their health. One way to help achieve this is by encouraging electric vehicle usage.
- Making sure our roads and streets are ready for the impact of climate changes and the issues it brings, such as flooding.
The needs of the entire borough have been considered and are recognised in the strategy’s delivery plan which outlines funded, planned and aspirational measures to improve transport and travel across the borough in both the short and longer term.
The borough’s new strategy also supports the wider Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040, which sets out long-term proposals to create a cleaner, greener, more prosperous city region through better transport connections and simpler travel.
As part of the strategy the council has also outlined plans to improve and update car parking provision in the town centre.
This includes looking at the price of parking – so it supports ongoing regeneration work and the building of new family homes – and taking into account any changes in driving habits as more people look to use public transport.
To make things easier for residents, the report also sets out how the council will look at improving car parking signage around the town centre, increased use of mobile phone payments apps and more electric vehicle charging points.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Over the coming years this new strategy can have major benefits for our borough and its residents. Our ambition is to make it easier for residents to get about without using their cars, helping to cut pollution and freeing up road space for essential journeys.
“By improving our transport links and making it easier for people to get around we’ll be helping them access learning and career opportunities. This will tackle inequalities and support the development of new homes, jobs and businesses.
“The strategy also ties in with our plans to make Oldham the greenest borough in Greater Manchester.
“We want cleaner air – protecting the health of the borough’s residents is a priority.
“This won’t be a one-size fits all strategy, we’ll adapt polices to suit different areas within the borough to benefit the people who live there.”