Greater Manchester could soon get 27 new trams - and discounts for early bird commuters could be introduced.

Priority could also be given to cars with three or more passengers on some of the region’s busiest roads to encourage car sharing.

A massive scheme to improve junctions, tackle bottlenecks, build new roads and roll out ‘smart’ traffic signals is also planned.

And there will be a huge push to get more people cycling and walking, with more bike lanes and better ways for people to get around on foot.

It’s all part of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s ‘Congestion Deal’.

Massive amounts of cash will be put into tackling traffic and improving - and encouraging people to use - public transport.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

The plan includes:

£80m to fund 27 new Metrolink trams, equating to an 4,800 extra spaces and an overall capacity increase of 25 per cent

£160m investment in cycling and walking infrastructures - the biggest ever investment in those areas in the region

A £400m programme of schemes to upgrade junctions, tackle bottlenecks, provide new roads and deliver new smart traffic signals

A ‘high occupancy vehicle’ lane pilot. Priority on busy roads would be given cars with three or more passengers to encourage car sharing

An early bird ‘pre-peak’ Metrolink ticket offer for people who travel into work early

Group travel discounts for businesses that agree to implement flexible or home working for employees

An expanded transport control centre operating 24 hours a day - and a dedicated ‘corridor management team’ for some of the busiest routes in Greater Manchester

Mr Burnham has developed the plan with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) bosses and independent experts.

It will tie in with the region’s ‘Clean Air Plan’ and will include measures to tackle the most polluted roads.

Manchester is the second most congested city in the country - and 19th in Europe - according to traffic data company INRIX.

Too many people travel at the same time; too many people take short journeys by car; roadworks slow things down too often; traffic lights are often poorly timed; and people have no realistic alternatives to driving - according to the results of an online survey.

TfGM chiefs say that 75 per cent of car and van journeys in the morning peak carry just one person. Almost a third of all journeys less than 1km are made by car.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Every second, 60 car journeys start in Greater Manchester between 8am and 9am - and the region’s busiest roads are twice as busy during peak periods.

“Congestion is a serious problem in Greater Manchester, which affects people’s health and wellbeing, as well as access to employment and education opportunities,” Mr Burnham said.

“Every week, my Twitter feed and inbox are filled with accounts of the difficulties people experience in travelling to work, dropping the kids off at school or getting to appointments on time.

“There’s no quick fix or single solution to tackling congestion and it requires a long term approach, but there are things we could be doing better.”

The mayor is asking the residents to play their part by choosing public transport, cycling or walking where possible.

He also wants transport bodies and businesses to work together to offer ‘real choice’ for travellers.

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“If everyone does their bit, from businesses to bus operators and from council to commuters, we can work together to reduce congestion and make Greater Manchester an even better place to live and work in the future,” Mr Burnham added.

Cycling and walking commissioner Chris Boardman said ‘active’ travel must become the easiest, most attractive and logical option for people.

“The £160m investment in cycling and walking infrastructure, would kick-start a major transformation of how people of all ages travel,” he said.

“We’ve said from the start that this transformation has to be led and owned by local people. We’re ready to work closely with communities on bold and ambitious plans that will unlock the potential for thousands more people to get around by bike or on foot.”

The proposals will be discussed by leaders from Greater Manchester Combined Authority leaders next Thursday (March 29).