provide travel plans for the development which encourage the use of public transport supported by schemes to encourage this use;

provide improved access to rapid transit routes including first/last mile solutions such as public bike or scooter hire and car club facilities, and

provide additional and improved cycle parking and related facilities at public transport stations and interchanges.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority have set out an ambitious programme of investment to improve and extend the reach of public transport. This is set out in the conurbation-wide Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040124 and the related Our Five-Year Delivery Plan125. This is supported by Stockport District Local Implementation Plans.

An increase in the use of public transport is vital in delivering a significant reduction in the carbon impact of travel. 1 in 5 households in Stockport do not own a car (Census data). Therefore, public transport provides an essential service for many residents to access jobs, schools, and other community facilities.

One of the main factors supporting growth in public transport services and usage is population density. The more people that live in an area the greater the potential for more frequent, affordable, and accessible public transport. Therefore, this Plan encourages regeneration and development that have the potential to increase the attraction, availability, and viability of public transport.

In order to facilitate a shift to public transport, it is important that the needs of older, younger and less mobile people are considered. This should be for both designing public transport infrastructure as well as routes to these facilities.

It will be vital to deliver and sustain a comprehensive and integrated public transport network. This network should enable people to change between different services and make a much wider range of trips than just those to and from Manchester City Centre. The public transport network also plays a vital role in tackling congestion and providing access to work, leisure, and other destinations. Public transport services should also support new demand responsive technologies and applications. These technologies allow for flexible transport which adapts to the demands of the user groups.

There is an ongoing programme of activity to secure Stockport as the Southern Gateway Hub for Greater Manchester. Through this, the council is committed to delivering Metrolink to the borough. This includes the ‘Next Stop Stockport’ programme to bring Metrolink to the town centre. It also includes modernising