Protesters fight to keep Metrolink stop open
Sue Green | 17.02.2011 12:00 | Public sector cuts
Young families and elderly people joined together with Cheetham Hill councillors Naeem Hassan and Afzal Khan to demonstrate against Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority's decision to close the stop. More than 80 people took to the platform of Woodlands Road tram stop to protest against its closure.
Transport chiefs are building a new stop at Abraham Moss in Crumpsall and want to close the Woodlands Road stop less than a quarter of a mile away. The demolition of the tram stop will cost £300,000 and is part of a bid to boost links to a school and community complex.
A consultation is under way after GMITA asked the government for permission to carry out the closure. Building the Abraham Moss stop and keeping Woodlands Road would increase journey times on the Bury line by 30 seconds. Another stop is also being built next to the Metrolink depot at Queens Road, Cheetham Hill. However protesters claim closing Woodlands Road will mean a longer walk for some people, particularly the elderly and school children.
Around 30 people have already written to the Department of Transport protesting the closure and over 1250 have signed a petition. Coun Hassan said: "They haven't given any good reasons for closing Woodland Road station and it will be too dangerous for students who have to cross the line to and from school. Nobody has looked at this. Who will be responsible if someone gets hurt?"
The consultation has been extended from February 9 to March 23. Government ministers will make the final decision with the Office Of Rail Regulation.
Representations can be sent to the Department for Transport, RLMP division, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR.
A consultation is under way after GMITA asked the government for permission to carry out the closure. Building the Abraham Moss stop and keeping Woodlands Road would increase journey times on the Bury line by 30 seconds. Another stop is also being built next to the Metrolink depot at Queens Road, Cheetham Hill. However protesters claim closing Woodlands Road will mean a longer walk for some people, particularly the elderly and school children.
Around 30 people have already written to the Department of Transport protesting the closure and over 1250 have signed a petition. Coun Hassan said: "They haven't given any good reasons for closing Woodland Road station and it will be too dangerous for students who have to cross the line to and from school. Nobody has looked at this. Who will be responsible if someone gets hurt?"
The consultation has been extended from February 9 to March 23. Government ministers will make the final decision with the Office Of Rail Regulation.
Representations can be sent to the Department for Transport, RLMP division, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR.
Sue Green