This Council notes that:

-         Trafford residents, either working in the hospitality sector or enjoying the night-time economy, face a curfew for the tram, expensive taxis, or a risky walk home in the dark.

-         Tackling both Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and gender-based violence more widely are priorities for Greater Manchester Police across the city region.

-         Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has announced his ambition to make the city’s tram network the “11^th district” for policing.

-         This means that a late-night tram service across Greater Manchester is increasingly becoming the best transport option to ensure thousands of people across the region can get home safely in the evenings and after dark.

Regarding the viability of such a service, this Council further notes that:

-         Since November 2021 London's "night tube" continues to be successful and has surpassed fears that it would have limited customers. The service runs at an off peak cost.

-         Concerns that there won’t be enough passengers can be assuaged by looking to the success of the later running Airport Line which is much used as the “last tram” home for many. An expansion to existing services would not mean less use and many passengers could use a day ticket which runs for the whole service.

-         Metrolink has seen a growth and return to pre-pandemic levels of service users on the Greater Manchester tram network.

-         The population of Greater Manchester is projected to rapidly increase in the coming years as more and more people move to our city.  Here in Trafford we will see additional population increase around projects such as ‘Trafford Waters’ which will have a higher percentage of public transport users.

-         We must have the responsibility and foresight to put into practice safe and accessible public transport links.

This Council resolves to:

-         Ask Transport for Greater Manchester to run a 3 month trial of the night tram on the Altrincham to Bury service, and to monitor its success.

-         If a trial is granted, to work in close partnership with British Transport Police to ensure that resourcing is in place to keep a late night service safe for all users, with an emphasis to preventing gender based violence.

-         Ask the Leader to write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester calling for his support.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council notes that:

-            Trafford residents, either working in the hospitality sector or enjoying the night-time economy, face a curfew for the tram, expensive taxis, or a risky walk home in the dark.

-            Tackling both Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and gender-based violence more widely are priorities for Greater Manchester Police across the city region.

-            Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has announced his ambition to make the city’s tram network the “11^th district” for policing.

-            This means that a late-night tram service across Greater Manchester is increasingly becoming the best transport option to ensure thousands of people across the region can get home safely in the evenings and after dark.

Regarding the viability of such a service, this Council further notes that:

-            Since November 2021 London's "night tube" continues to be successful and has surpassed fears that it would have limited customers. The service runs at an off peak cost.

-            Concerns that there won’t be enough passengers can be assuaged by looking to the success of the later running Airport Line which is much used as the “last tram” home for many. An expansion to existing services would not mean less use and many passengers could use a day ticket which runs for the whole service.

-            Metrolink has seen a growth and return to pre-pandemic levels of service users on the Greater Manchester tram network.

-            The population of Greater Manchester is projected to rapidly increase in the coming years as more and more people move to our city.  Here in Trafford we will see additional population increase around projects such as ‘Trafford Waters’ which will have a higher percentage of public transport users.

-            We must have the responsibility and foresight to put into practice safe and accessible public transport links.

This Council resolves to:

-            Ask Transport for Greater Manchester to run a 3 month trial of the night tram on the Altrincham to Bury service, and to monitor its success.

-            If a trial is granted, to work in close partnership with British Transport Police to ensure that resourcing is in place to keep a late night service safe for all users, with an emphasis to preventing gender based violence.

-            Ask the Leader to write to the Mayor of Greater Manchester calling for his support.”

Following a debate on the matter, during which the Leader of the Council invited all Groups to feed in their views so that collaborative representations could be made, the Motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: That this Council notes that:

-            Trafford residents, either working in the hospitality sector or enjoying the night-time economy, face a curfew for the tram, expensive taxis, or a risky walk home in the dark.

-            Tackling both Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and gender-based violence more widely are priorities for Greater Manchester Police across the city region.

-            Greater Manchester  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53