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.
