Transport for Greater Manchester organises the third Peer Review and the first Study Visit of the project. Experts from RESOLVE partners will provide advice to the city of Manchester on different subjects linked to retail related traffic, while representatives of project partners will take part in study visits.
BACKGROUND
Greater Manchester is realising new powers of governance and control through devolution and a faster than UK average growing economy. Transport is crucial in supporting Greater Manchester’s ambitious plans and the proposed transport and logistics programme will harness these strengths, merging domain knowledge and expertise, with the specialist skills, to unlock the potential for growth across the region. Delivering a sustainable transport network that underpins a high performance, low carbon economy, creating 20,000 high value jobs and revenue growth of £2bn per annum by 2030.
To prepare for these significant changes, TfGM has developed a number of policy documents, including the Freight and Logistics Strategy which sets out a balanced package of interventions and aims to maximise the opportunities for the sector to contribute to the economic growth of the city region whilst also minimising the impact of activities on the environment.
Over the coming years TfGM will be implementing a number of projects and initiatives to meet the aims which have been set out in these documents. RESOLVE project will help to identify which projects will be most suitable for Manchester.
PEER REVIEW
RESOLVE project will help TfGM to engage with the experts and to gain a better understanding of which projects are taking place from across Europe to take forward as implementation options.
Freight and Logistics is a new area of work that TfGM has developed in recent years. The Peer Review is aimed at identifying other consolidation models and new logistics concepts which will make freight operations more efficient and make Greater Manchester a more appealing destination for this sector. Another area of interest for TfGM is the integration of freight operations with other modes such as electric cars/vans and cargo bikes.
TfGM has established links with business and retail outlets, yet would like to learn more about how to help retail partners in becoming more integrated and active in promoting the sustainable travel agenda. TfGM would like to understand what partnership and stakeholder models are present in other European cities and what they can do to strengthen their ties with this sector and build on existing partnerships.
STUDY VISIT
Following the Peer Review, Transport for Greater Manchester will host the first Study Visit of the project.
Study Visits constitute an important step in the interregional learning process envisaged by RESOLVE, in which partners will learn from each other's good practices. The visits will involve local stakeholder groups' members, politicians and technical staff.
At the end of the observation and analysis of good practices phase, partners will identify the ones to be transferred at local level through the Regional Action Plan.
Around 40 representatives from 4 RESOLVE partners – City of Roermond, Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Kronoberg County Administration Board, City of Warsaw – will gather in Manchester on January 18th and 19th to take part in this important learning event.
It will be an occasion to know more about TfGM good practices: Manchester 2040 Transport Strategy, Bus priority Programme, Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Scheme, Air Quality Action Plan, Freight and Logistics Strategy. Partners will also have the opportunity to learn more about Metroshuttle, Metrolink, Intu Trafford Centre and to visit some of these facilities.
More info about Peer Review and Study Visit results will follow!
