TRANSPORT for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has awarded a consortium of Bombardier UK and Kiepe Electric a £72m contract to supply 27 additional M5000 high-floor LRVs to boost capacity on the city’s Metrolink light rail network.

THE mayor of Manchester Mr Andy Burnham confirmed on March 23 that £83m will be spent on the acquisition of additional trams for the Metrolink light rail network as part of the city’s Congestion Deal, which also includes a £160m investment in walking and cycling infrastructure.

GREATER Manchester Combined Authority held a launch event in Manchester on March 16 for its HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) growth strategy, which sets forth the region's ambitions for high-speed rail and details how these two major rail projects can stimulate growth and opportunity both in Greater Manchester and across the north of England.