Protestors keep steps off the Trans Pennine Trail
Cyclists and disability campaigners demand ramp access to national traffic-free route.
The Trans Pennine Trail (TPT), established in 1989, runs for 215 miles from Southport on the Irish Sea to Hornsea on the North Sea and is a popular traffic-free walking, cycling and horse riding route.
As part of works to extend the Metrolink tram system to East Didsbury early in 2011, the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) decided to divert the TPT up and over a road bridge in the vicinity of Sandhurst Road. GMPTE proposed using steps at a cost of £850,000 rather than ramps estimated (by them) at £4.25m.
Philip Purdy, GMPTE’s Metrolink Director, said:
“We have carefully considered the plans for this section of the route and providing steps over the bridge at this location would be the most cost-effective way of maintaining the trail within the corridor, compared to the significant cost of providing ramps.”
Why steps are not good enough
The proposal to build steps was heavily criticised by Sustrans, Love Your Bike (LYB) and Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign. Campaigners claimed it would prevent access by wheelchair and mobility scooter users, cyclists including families cycling with child buggies and tag-alongs, and parents with prams.
Catherine Thomson, from Manchester Friends of the Earth, told the Manchester Evening News:
“We support the extension of the Metrolink tram system, 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.”
Catherine Thomson, from Manchester Friends of the Earth, told the Manchester Evening News:
“We support the extension of the Metrolink tram system, 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.”
Friends of the Earth said plans to build steps breached both the 2010 Equality Act and the 2005 Disability Discrimination Act. Campaigners including Manchester Disabled People’s Action Group have suggested that GMPTE is obliged by law to ensure that any structure associated with the new Metrolink line is accessible to the disabled. This would mean the provision of ramped rather than stepped access.
Lobbying and email campaign brings success
In protest Love Your Bike mounted an urgent campaign, prompting 550 emails.
Step challenge to GMPTE over proposed steps to Trans Pennine Trail at Didsbury
LYB challenged Metrolink Chief, Philip Purdy to push a pram and ride a bike up the steps in front of his Manchester office. He declined.
550 emails were dispatched to the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) committee members due to consider Mr Purdy’s report.
Protestors also lobbied a lively GMITA committee meeting on Friday 25th March where a succession of councillors from all political parties lined up to question the planned steps. The Committee unanimously voted NO to the steps proposal.
One councillor questioned Metrolink’s projections for the steps, referring to the costs and their other solutions as a “deluded fantasy”.
Thank you
LYB extends a BIG thank you to everyone who emailed their local councillors/GMITA members asking them to say “No” to Metrolink’s plans to install a series of steps into the Trans Pennine Trail as part of the Didsbury tram extension.
What happens now
GMPTE/Metrolink officers have been instructed to go away and come back with an acceptable proposal.
