Work starts on £4.8m Tyldesley travel hub

Park-and-ride capacity will triple for commuters of the Leigh Guided Busway in Greater Manchester, once main contractor Jamieson Contracting completes the enhanced travel hub in October.

Jamieson Contracting started construction today on the nearly four-acre Bee Network travel hub, situated just south of the Astley Street stop on the Leigh Guided Busway. The project has an estimated construction cost of £4.8m, according to Transport for Greater Manchester.

When finished, the Tyldesley travel hub will feature a total of 148 parking bays – up from the existing 49 at the stop today. Of those 148, 18 will have access to electric vehicle chargers and 10 will be accessible. There will be cycle storage for 16 bicycles. A pick-up and drop-off area will also be installed.

Parcel lockers, CCTV, and enhanced lighting are also on the to-do list for the travel hub, as is a single-storey office for Guided Busway staff.

The travel hub is a direct response to an uptick in passenger numbers on the busway’s V1 route, which has grown 13.8% year-on-year since 2023.

Plans for the hub, part of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s 2021 election manifesto, were approved in September.

“The Guided Busway has been a huge success story for public transport in Greater Manchester – and now the Bee Network is making it even better,” Burnham said.

Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton, added her support, saying that she had been advocating for a travel hub for many years.

“Improving public transport connectivity, access and reducing congestion has always been a priority for me, and this project marks a major step forward,” she said.

Wigan Council portfolio holder for planning, environmental services, and transport Cllr Paul Prescott added: “Tyldesley and its businesses have seen great benefits from the Guided Busway in recent years, and after listening to resident’s concerns, the travel hub’s increased parking bays will help the town centre become a safer and more accessible place to work, shop, and visit.”

Strzala Architects designed the travel hub, with Plande Planning Consultants aiding in securing planning permission last year. The project team also includes United Environmental Services, Lighthouse Acoustics, Adapt Heritage, MDLandscape, Relux, and Scott White and Hookins.

You can review the planning application by searching reference A/25/098945/MAJOR.

A second travel hub is planned in Hindley.