How the new transport hub connecting tram, trains and buses will work

Ashton will be the first town in Greater Manchester to combine bus, tram and train services at massive ‘hub’. 

As part of a huge overhaul of the town centre, Tameside’s civic centre will also welcome the first fully integrated Bee Network hub, according to town hall bosses.

It means Metrolink, bus, and rail services will all be connected within a 200-metre radius by a network of footpaths.

While Bury is expected to have the first operational carbon-neutral transport hub, it will only connect Metrolink and bus services. Ashton will be the first to combine all three modes of transport.

The train station, tram stop and bus station in Ashton all act as separate hubs currently, but a progressing plan would see them all connected by new, safer and more accessible walking links.

Public transport users will see their experience enhanced by integrated ticketing; more frequent services; shared arrival and departure information; as well as improved wayfinding, safety, and accessibility, say to town hall chiefs.

Tameside council is actively looking for a development partner to start work in the coming months on the major town centre redevelopment project.

In addition to the integrated transport hub, the project could see up to 2,400 new homes built; 12.5 hectares of commercial space created to support businesses and jobs in a vision to make Ashton a ‘vibrant’ and ‘modern’ town.

The latest version of the Ashton masterplan builds on the ongoing transformation of Market Square and development of St Petersfield as part of the Ashton Mayoral Development (AMDZ).

The old bus station, now demolished, will also play a part in the transport hub proposal. Where the station once stood on Wellington Road will become home to a new public realm – linking the town centre to the new Bee Network hub.

A spokesperson for Tameside council said: “The council is dedicated to improving pedestrian links between the station and the town centre.

“The council looks forward to collaborating with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) following the Government’s recent announcement of multi-billion-pound funding for city region transport earlier this summer.”