Manchester's Next Move: £6M Injected into Transport Network Expansion
- Rico Naylor
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
Greater Manchester's transport ambitions have taken a significant step forward, with a new strategic report revealing a clear roadmap for the expansion of the Metrolink network, including the long-awaited prospect of an underground line through the city centre.
Supported by a newly approved £6 million investment, the plans mark a new era of infrastructure-led development for tram and tram-train connections across the Greater Manchester region.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has outlined a formal strategy to develop the business cases for a pipeline of new, extended, and converted rapid transit lines, signed off by the Bee Network Committee.
What's the goal?
The pledge from the Mayor and local council leaders is for 90% of people in the city-region to be within a 5-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes by 2030
This isn't just a list of ideas; it's a structured plan to connect all ten boroughs, intrinsically linking transport investment with local authority regeneration plans to supercharge growth.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham says:
“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.
“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.”
The Headline Projects: An Underground and an East-West Spine
While the full strategy is comprehensive, two key priorities stand out.
The highest priority is the development of a new East-West line connecting Manchester Airport to Rochdale, a project that would incorporate a new Metrolink tunnel under the city centre.
Although a full underground network is a long-term vision, the GMCA has officially approved funding for the "very early development work" on the concept.
This marks a critical first step in future-proofing the network and unlocking the capacity needed for a globally competitive city.
The new £6m funding injection will be used to advance the planning and business case development for these and other key projects, moving them from lines on a map to investment-ready propositions.
The Development Pipeline: Connecting the Ten Boroughs
Beyond the central tunnel, the strategy details a clear and ambitious pipeline for the entire region:
Shaping the Next Wave: Business cases will be actively developed this year for the next set of priority routes, including extensions to Middleton and the Northern Gateway, as well as Trafford Waters and Port Salford.
Unlocking Southern Growth: Planning will begin this year to complete the Airport Metrolink line's 'Western Leg', a vital project set to service major growth hubs including Wythenshawe Hospital and Davenport Green. The plan also assesses new tram-train links connecting the airport to Stockport, Altrincham, and the Mid-Cheshire Line.
Connecting the North-West: From summer 2026, formal planning will commence to expand the network to Salford Crescent and Salford Quays, with a major focus on bringing Metrolink connectivity to the key towns of Leigh, Wigan, and Bolton.
Stockport on the Fast Track: The formal business case for extending the Metrolink line from East Didsbury to Stockport will be finalised this autumn, targeting a 2030 construction start. This crucial link also includes exploring tram-train connections to Hazel Grove, Tameside, and Manchester Airport.
Safeguarding Future Corridors: In the long term, strategic work is underway to protect future transport routes, ensuring that tram-train services can eventually be delivered to key commuter towns such as Warrington, Glossop, and Marple.
The Underground Ambition: Underpinning this entire strategy is the early-stage development work for a new underground system. This transformative project is envisioned to integrate with the proposed Liverpool-Manchester Railway, creating a truly world-class, joined-up transport network for the future.
The Insider Take: Reading the Map for Future Opportunity
For the CRE industry, this long-term transport strategy is more than just good news; it's a strategic roadmap for future investment.
1. Infrastructure De-risks Investment: The publication of this formal pipeline provides a level of certainty that has been missing. For developers and investors, it allows for long-range planning, highlighting the corridors and transport nodes that will become strategically important over the next 5, 10, and 20 years.
2. Identifying the Next Hotspots: The strategy explicitly names the next towns in line for Metrolink connectivity. For those with a long-term view, places like Wigan, Leigh, Middleton, and Bolton are being clearly signposted as the next frontier for infrastructure-led growth and regeneration.
3. The Public-Private Mandate: An ambition of this scale cannot be delivered by the public sector alone. This strategy is an open invitation to the private sector to align its own investment plans. Developers who can demonstrate how their schemes integrate with and support this new transport vision will find a much more receptive audience with local authorities and planners. The message is clear: Manchester is building, and it wants partners to help deliver the vision.
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