Metrolink and The Trans-Pennine Trail
UPDATED INFORMATION
Manchester Friends of the Earth is dismayed at GMPTE’s decision to continue with plans to install a series of steps into the Trans-Pennine Trail which would create a major barrier to local people and visitors enjoying the popular traffic-free walking and cycle route. To demonstrate the problems that steps will cause, the campaigners are challenging Metrolink chief, Philip Purdy, to push a pram and ride a bicycle up the steps in front of GMPTE’s offices.
Because of the Metrolink work to extend the tram system to Didsbury the Trans-Pennine Trail (TPT) needed to be re-routed. The early designs provided to Manchester City Council, Sustrans and TPT user groups showed level access to the Trail. However, the latest plans from Metrolink show that they intend to install a series of steps into the Trail in the vicinity of Sandhurst Road.
Love Your Bike campaigners believe that many people such as, parents with prams or double pushchairs, electric and manual wheelchair users and their attendants, mobility scooter users, families cycling with child buggies or “tag-alongs” and many mobile elderly people will find the steps an unwelcome and impassable barrier. In a report to be discussed at the Greater Manchester Integrated Authority meeting on Friday 25th March, Metrolink recommend that “members note this update and the issues encountered in incorporating the Trans Pennine Trail into the corridor and affirm their support for the proposed design.”
Manchester Friends of the Earth believe that the current plans breach both the Equality Act 2010 and the Disability Discrimination Act. The campaigners are urging the GMITA members to reject Metrolink’s plans and ensure that an alternative solution is found which enables the Trans-Pennine Trail to continue to offer access for all.
The GMITA committee meeting will also be discussing the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan (LTP3) which contains a number of Priority Commitments. One of these boldly states that: “Our proposals set out ways to improve the pedestrian environment, remove barriers to cycling, improve cycling infrastructure…”
Pete Abel from Manchester Friends of the Earth Love Your Bike campaign said, “The Local Transport Plan recognises the urgent need to encourage more people to walk and cycle for leisure and commuting purposes. Unfortunately, Metrolink’s plans for the Trans-Pennine Trail are a step in the wrong direction”.
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Manchester Friends of the Earth is calling on the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) to stop Metrolink installing a series of steps into the Trans-Pennine Trail (TPT) which would create a major barrier to local people and visitors enjoying the popular traffic-free walking and cycle route.
Metrolink work to extend the tram system to Didsbury has made it necessary to re-route the Trans-Pennine Trail. The early designs provided to Manchester City Council, Sustrans and TPT user groups showed that ramps would provide level access to the Trail. However, the latest plans from Metrolink show that they are intending to install a series of steps into the Trail in the vicinity of Sandhurst Road.
Love Your Bike campaigners believe that many people such as parents with prams or double pushchairs, electric and manual wheelchair users and their attendants, mobility scooters users, families cycling with child buggies or “tag-alongs” and many mobile elderly people will find the steps an unwelcome and impassable barrier. They are urging the GMITA members to ensure that Metrolink provide an alternative solution that enables the Trans-Pennine Trail to continue to offer access for all.
Because the Trans-Pennine Trail runs on Council owned land and Manchester City Council also has responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of the Trail, the campaigners argue that the walking & cycling route is a Council “service” and under the Disability Discrimination Act the Council has a duty to prevent barriers being introduced to the Trans-Pennine Trail.
Catherine Thomson from Manchester Friends of the Earth said: “We support the extension of the Metrolink tram system as it can help deliver a more sustainable transport system for Greater Manchester. But this should not be at the expense of existing popular walking and cycling routes. Metrolink and Manchester City Council have a duty to ensure that this popular trail remains accessible to all.”
Last year, Manchester, Stockport and Trafford councils helped the Trans-Pennine Trail celebrate is 21st Anniversary.
