Andrew Garner

A quartet of carol singers are helping to give Metrolink a festive feel this week by singing on board the trams. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) arranged for the quartet, from the University of Manchester Chorus, to accompany passengers travelling on Metrolink from Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 December.

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE’s Interim Service Delivery Director, said: “We hope the carol singers have helped to bring Christmas cheer to passengers and have encouraged people to use Metrolink over the festive season. “Some people are put off using public transport when they’re doing their Christmas shopping as they’ve got lots of bags to carry. But travelling on Metrolink can actually be an easier way of getting about. “Metrolink passengers don’t get stuck in traffic jams or have to worry about finding somewhere to park. All of the tram stops also have ramps or lifts so you avoid having to walk up and down steps.”

Greater Manchester’s Yellow School Bus services are reducing congestion, improving pupil behaviour and boosting school attendance, according to the latest report heard by transport bosses. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) now funds the services to 22 schools, providing safe and reliable journeys for more than 2000 pupils. Councillors heard that the Yellow School Buses have made a major impact on the school run, taking more than 265,000 car-miles off the road this school year. And antisocial behaviour on school buses has reduced by 75% at schools that have the yellow buses. Schools have also praised the services for improving attendance records.

One Yellow School Bus currently runs to Bury Church school and the scheme has proved a hit with pupils and parents. Bury spokesperson for GMPTA, Councillor Andrew Garner, said: “Yellow School Buses are a safe and reliable way of getting pupils to and from school. “We already know from anecdotal evidence that they are popular, but this report really highlights the benefits of the service. “The services are really helping to tackle local congestion caused by the school run, as well as offering a safe travelling environment for pupils. I’m sure other road users appreciate the services too as they take so many cars off the road each morning and afternoon. “We have bid for government funding to buy more Yellow School Buses and reports like this really illustrate what a strong case there is for expanding the service.” Pupils using Yellow School Bus services have to sign up to a code of conduct, use the same seatbelt-equipped seats every day and have regular drivers to help build a good working relationship. All Yellow School Bus drivers have undergone an extensive training programme run by GMPTE, which includes training in customer care, first aid, disability awareness, health and safety issues and conflict avoidance. A major expansion of Yellow School Bus services could be introduced at schools across Greater Manchester over the next four years if the bid to the government’s Transport Innovation Fund is successful. Two more vehicles are due to be introduced at schools in Wigan early in the new year, taking the number of Yellow School Buses in Greater Manchester to 36, running to 22 schools. To find out more about Yellow School Buses and for a full list of services visit www.yellowschoolbus.info

A Liberal Democrat amendment at last nights Council meeting finally exposed Bury Labour’s position on Congestion Charging when they failed to oppose the proposed Congestion Charging scheme.

A Liberal Democrat amendment called for the bid to the Governments Transport Innovation Fund to be supported but made it clear that Bury was opposed to the proposed Congestion Charging scheme, and called for a consultative referendum on the issue.

My colleague Cllr Richard Baum told the Council, “We need to send a message to the government that we will not stand for their bullying.  That we have been elected to stand up for what people want – a quality public transport system paid for through the taxes we have already paid, sustained through more users and leading to improvements all round. 

You can read the full text of the Lib Dem amendment here.

Upgrades to Metrolink carried out over the summer are being praised for making it easier for disabled people to travel around the region.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority is investing over £100 million on improvements to the Metrolink network, including new track, trams and ticket machines.

Nearly 4,000 tactile paving stones were laid at 22 platforms on the Bury and Altrincham lines as part of the track upgrades. New boarding points have also been created for people with wheelchairs or prams so that they know where to get on the trams.

Councillor Andrew Garner, Bury’s spokesperson on the Passenger Transport Authority, met members of the Baddac Access and Eye-openers groups at Radcliffe Metrolink stop on Thursday to see what impact the upgrades have had. He said: “We wanted to carry out as much work as possible while sections of the Metrolink network were closed to replace worn-out track. We’ve always tried to make Metrolink as accessible as possible for disabled people. I’m pleased we were able to improve the stops to make it easier for people to use the service.

“We upgraded nearly twenty miles of track during the summer and we will continue to make improvements to Metrolink in the future. We’ll soon be installing new ticket machines, and we’ll be adding eight new trams to the network in 2009 to relieve overcrowding at busy times.”

Michelle Chadwick from Baddac Access said: “I’m visually impaired so the Metrolink improvements have made it much easier for me to travel on the network. The new tactile paving stones and boarding points have helped to reassure me that I’m standing in the right place while I wait for a tram.

”I tend to travel on Metrolink every couple of days and have really noticed the difference the new track has made. My guide dog didn’t used to like riding on the trams but its now much smoother. I’m sure I’ll use Metrolink more often in the future.”

Engineers used nearly 40 miles of rail, 60,000 tonnes of stone and 40,000 sleepers to upgrade the Metrolink track during the summer. They also re-waterproofed the Metrolink bridge over the M60 at Besses o’ th’ Barn, and replaced a road bridge over the Metrolink line in Radcliffe.

The Metrolink network has been designed to be accessible for everyone. All of the stops have a ramp or lift, and the trams have special sections for people with wheelchairs or prams. The new tactile paving stones make it easier for blind and partially-sighted people to find the edge of platforms.

Further information about public transport services in Greater Manchester is available at www.gmpte.com, or by calling Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 (calls cost 10p per minute from landlines). Lines are open from 7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 8pm at weekends.

Sorry for the lack of activity on this site in the last couple of months.  I started a new job at the begining of October and my feet haven’t touched the ground since!  I now work for Andrew Stunell MP who is the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.  My new role compliments my work as your local councillor and gives me far more insight into the role of Local Government and how it affects our community.