Campaigning Eccles MP Barbara Keeley was left disappointed in her latest attempt to make Salford railway stations more accessible, particularly in Irlam and Walkden.
She challenged the government’s Transport Secretary in Parliament to delegate powers to Greater Manchester which could give the improvements higher priority.
She said: “Fifty per cent of rail stations in Greater Manchester are inaccessible to people with a disability and I hope the Transport Secretary agrees that is unacceptable.
“On the face of it these plans appear to do little to improve accessibility, so can he confirm he will be giving our regional Mayor Andy Burnham the funding and powers he needs to control and improve stations as they do in London?”
But the secretary of state was unable to confirm this.
Irlam was included among the 73 stations that would be given funding to improve accessibility.
Replying to a concerned Facebook user regarding the funding, Keeley said: “As I understand it Irlam is in a group of stations granted funding for accessibility improvements but the end date for the work is March 2024 why so long?
“It should be a priority to do the accessibility work at Irlam and Walkden stations.”
Walkden railway station was given funds to improve accessibility at the station but commuters are still waiting for the lift to be installed that was mentioned in the plans.
Keeley added on her Facebook post: “We need more power devolved locally to improve our local train stations.
“Disabled people, older people and those with prams are unable to use the railway network.”
Another concerned Facebook user commented: “Quite frankly, if this Government is serious about reducing road emissions, then the accessibility of train stations for the public, is paramount.”
You can follow the post on Barbara Keeley’s Facebook page here
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