Greener travel across Greater Manchester
Staff, patients and visitors across Greater Manchester are choosing greener ways to travel, thanks to NHS Greater Manchester’s involvement in a national programme to cut car journeys and promote healthier travel.
NHS Greater Manchester is supporting staff, patients and visitors to travel more sustainably through a national programme that is supporting practical changes across hospitals and GP practices.
Step up a Gear pilot supports practical travel changes
As part of NHS England’s Step Up a Gear pilot, NHS Greater Manchester and its nine acute, specialist and mental health trusts have been working together to better understand travel patterns. Practical solutions to encourage walking, cycling, wheeling and the use of public transport have been introduced.
So far, 44 NHS sites across Greater Manchester have taken part, with 29 achieving Approved or Good accreditation within the first year.
E-cargo bike courier service cuts emissions and costs
The programme is already delivering real benefits on the ground:
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), an e-cargo bike courier service delivered by Chorlton Bikes now carries specimens in specialised containers from GP surgeries across south and central Manchester to local hospitals. The change has reduced the need for journeys previously made by electric vans, allowing those vehicles to be used for a more efficient scheduled delivery service across the trust.
The new approach has also helped reduce the need for outsourced courier and taxi trips. It’s saving an estimated five tonnes of carbon emissions per year, which is equivalent to taking a typical petrol car off the road for around 12,000 miles, or a return flight from Manchester to New York for one passenger. It’s also saving around £19,000 per year on courier and taxi costs.
Northern Moor Medical Practice promotes cycling and wellbeing
Meanwhile at Northern Moor Medical Practice in Wythenshawe, a folding e-bike, bought using pilot funding, is being used by staff for home visits and commuting – supporting both sustainability and staff wellbeing. The practice also arranged cycle training through Transport for Greater Manchester’s Bee Network, helping staff build confidence and improve road safety awareness.
Continued investment in sustainable travel
Importantly, NHS Greater Manchester, along with Active Travel England, have continued to fund access to a travel planning platform and the travel scheme since the national pilot funding ended in October 2024.
Encouraging healthier and more sustainable journeys
Charlotte Bailey, Chief People Officer at NHS Greater Manchester said: “We want to encourage healthy and sustainable travel across NHS services in Greater Manchester – from the daily commute to how we support and deliver care.
“By making journeys using public transport, or travelling actively through walking, wheeling or cycling, this brings so many benefits including improving physical health, mental health, and reducing air pollution and carbon emissions.”
