Councillor Sykes welcomes “long overdue” plans to make Greenfield Station more accessible

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed new accessibility renovations planned for Greenfield Station.  The plans will mean that Greenfield will finally become a ‘step-free’ station after many years of campaigning by councillors and residents.

Councillor Sykes, who is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Manchester’s Transport Committee (The Bee Ctte), said “This is wonderful news.  It has taken an awful long time to get to this stage and residents will understandably be sceptical of any promises this government makes on Transport.”

“Liberal Democrats have continually raised this issue over decades.  I have raised it since being appointed to the Transport Committee years ago.  Former councillor Richard Knowles used to raise this at every opportunity.  Too be fair many others have championed the need for full access at Greenfield – users, residents, and politicians of all flavours.  We are very pleased that residents will now be getting a renovated and accessible station.  This is a promise that must not be broken!”

“It is so important that public transport is accessible for all.  A step-free station will really encourage people to catch the train all year round and for some residents, this could mean that train travel will now become an option where it wasn’t before.” 

“With much of the plans still to be made public, the devil will be in the detail.  Liberal Democrats will hold the Department for Transport to their commitment and make sure residents finally get the station they deserve.”

Councillor Sykes and the Liberal Democrats force council vote on accessibility at Greenfield (Dec 2016)
IMPROVING RAILWAY STATION ACCESSIBILITY – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)