Moving Up North

(00:00:00) Setting the Stage for Andy Burnham's Legacy

(00:01:03) The Rise of Manchester and Burnham's Impact on Active Travel

(00:01:55) Leigh Day's Support for Cycling

(00:02:51) The Two Eras of Burnham's Active Travel Policy

(00:10:18) The Clean Air Zone Controversy

(00:20:58) School Streets and Lower Ambition in Active Travel

(00:26:57) The Bikes Schemes: Mobike to Starling Bikes

(00:38:06) Campaigners' Influence on Burnham's Policies

(00:38:19) Campaign Groups and Political Influence

(00:38:43) School Streets and City Centre Transformation

(00:43:50) What This Means for Transport Nationally

(00:49:28) Pitch for Ambition and Ranking Mayoral Term

Andy Burnham is on his way to Downing Street, which means the active travel record he built in Greater Manchester is about to become a national story. So how good is it?

Harry and Will go back over nine years of Burnham to work that out. They start with the Chris Boardman era, when Greater Manchester put serious money behind walking, wheeling and cycling for the first time outside London, and the messaging on everyday cycling was genuinely ahead of its time. Then things get harder. The clean air zone he set up, signposted and paid for, and then walked away from once the backlash hit. The shift from leading on active travel to reacting to it. The bike hire scheme that was arguably designed to fail from the day it launched half-docked. School streets, which both hosts have a hand in delivering, and which have quietly become the centre of the active travel agenda.

There's praise where it's due, including the buses, and a fair bit of criticism where it isn't, particularly on clean air. Harry makes the case for the kind of leader Burnham could still choose to be in Westminster. Will hands down a score. They don't agree on it.

Moving Up North is supported by Leigh Day, Lawyers Against Injustice. Walk Ride GM campaigns to make walking, wheeling and cycling the natural choice for journeys across Greater Manchester. We've created a podcast to explore in more detail how the work we do as a campaign group affects the changes you're seeing in active travel infrastructure across the city. Harry Gray and Will York are both members of the Walk Ride GM Steering Group.

The northern perspective on walking, wheeling and cycling. 

Moving Up North is supported by Leigh Day, Lawyers Against Injustice. 

Harry and Will digest each month's policy and delivery news into a friendly, easily accessible round-up.

Walk Ride GM campaigns to make walking, wheeling and cycling the natural choice for journeys across Greater Manchester.  We've created a podcast to explore in more detail how the work we do as a campaign group affects the changes you're seeing in active travel infrastructure across the city. Harry Gray and Will York are both members of the Walk Ride GM Steering Group.

Two new roles:
https://www.walkridegm.org.uk/2026/03/05/wrgm-launches-pioneering-walking-and-cycling-bus-pilot/

In the third episode of our three-part series, Harry and Will speak with the winners of the 2024 Walk Ride GM Awards. Cllr Mandie Shilton Godwin joins us to discuss her role in developing the Award Winning Chorlton Cycleway, whilst Best Activation Event winner Layla Seibert from Kidical Mass delves into how she set up Manchester's best mass participation cycle event. Plus, we bring you an update on Will's holiday to Scotland and how GM can learn from his experience. 

This episode is supported by Leigh Day, Lawyers Against Injustice.

In the second episode of our three-part series, Harry and Will speak with the winners of the 2024 Walk Ride GM Awards. St Thomas' CE Primary School Deputy Head Chris Silk and volunteer Matt Evans share insights on their recognition as Best School Street, whilst Best Campaign winner Ryan Bradshaw from Leigh Day discusses the work he's been undertaking to bring a legal case to remove discriminatory cycling barriers. Plus, we bring you the latest updates on the Stockport Scrutiny Committee Report, which has been making headlines this week.

This episode is supported by Leigh Day, Lawyers Against Injustice.

In the first episode of our three-part series, Harry and Will speak with the winners of the 2024 Walk Ride GM Awards. Trafford Council leader Tom Ross and Executive Member for Climate Change Aidan Williams share insights on their recognition as Best Council, while People’s Active Travel Champion Naz Khan discusses her advocacy work. Plus, we bring you the latest updates on the Deansgate Active Travel scheme, which has been making headlines this week.

Harry and Will discuss the budget and how it effects active travel spending in Greater Manchester and beyond. We also discuss the new regeneration project in Stretford on Kingsway, our recent policy conference with the University of Manchester and Salford and our annual Walk Ride GM Active Travel awards.

Harry and Will discuss how Walk Ride GM effectively campaigns when trying to balance the role of 'Critical Friend' as well as our infrastructure visit to Oldham, with the good and bad experiences we faced on our journey there. We also discuss the Louise Haigh interview with the Streets Ahead podcast

Harry and Will discuss how the change in government will effect how Active Travel is funded in Greater Manchester going forward, as well as a roundup of the latest news from across the 10 boroughs.