Talking Bus and Tram Stops

tfgm

Dr Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive, Transport for Greater Manchester, 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester M1 3BG

Dear Dr Lamonte,

Talking Bus and Tram Stops

I am writing to you with another suggestion for improving our public transport services for passengers with a visual impairment.

I understand that Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership in 2015 received a £10 million award to introduce new technology to improve public services.  Under the City Verve Project, this will include the introduction of talking bus stops, which also permit interaction with passengers.

At present, announcements of bus and tram arrivals are visual and therefore of no use to passengers with a visual impairment.  This causes them considerable inconvenience.

Surely it must be possible to make announcements on a public tannoy at tram and bus stops as happens at railway stations?  I know announcements are available at bus stands in bus stations but this requires the pro-active intervention of the passenger pressing a button, which is fine if they can see the stand and can see the button.

Please can I ask where we are in relation to the introduction of talking bus and tram stops and what proposals are in place to roll this provision out across the network?

I shall look forward to your response.

Managed weekly bin collections – starting Monday 3 October

Recycling Guide A5 6PP P2

Copy of a letter I have been sent by Oldham Council.

We would like to remind you that the new bin collection cycle will start next Monday 3 October, when bin collections across the borough will switch to the new collection pattern.

As the new pattern is rolled out some residents will start with a grey bin collection, some with a blue bin collection and some with a brown bin collection. This means that some residents will have recycling collections closer together and some will be further apart. The transition has been planned to ensure that no resident waits more than three weeks for a grey bin collection.

By the end of the first three-week cycle all residents will have had all of their bins emptied.

The changes aim to improve our recycling rate and reduce the amount spent on general rubbish disposal by as much as £3 million over the next two years.

Food and garden waste will continue to be collected every week and this service will be rolled out to a small remaining number of rural properties that didn’t previously have it.

All households have now had their new collection calendars and reminder tags are being placed on bins to ensure residents are ready and informed.

Residents have been advised to call the contact centre on 0161 770 6644 or visit our website www.oldham.gov.uk/waste

Recycling Guide A5 6PP P1

TfGM Suicide Prevention – Staff Training and Messaging

tfgm

Dr Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive, Transport for Greater Manchester, 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester M1 3BG

Dear Dr Lamonte,

Suicide Prevention – Staff Training and Messaging

Following World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September), I am writing to you with a special request.

You may be aware that tragically suicide is the most common cause of death amongst young males.  Regrettably some individuals chose to commit suicide in front of a moving public transport vehicle.  Not only does this result in loss of life, it can cause injury or death, and well as trauma, to the driver and passengers; disrupt services; and put a vehicle out of commission.

Samaritans have been working extensively with Network Rail, Translink and the wider rail industry to support those contemplating suicide and using the network.  As part of the “We Listen” campaign, at rail stations around the country, posters have gone up advertising the availability of the Samaritans free helpline number 116 123 so that the general public can call the helpline as a “positive, empowering first step in seeking help and taking control of their lives”.  Station and other rail staff have also accessed training to support those they see in need of help.

My request is that we look to engage Metrolink and bus operators with this scheme by asking Samaritans to train the staff of operators and that we display posters in our bus stations and tram stops, and on our buses and trams.

I shall look forward to your response.

Former Crompton Ambulance Station, Moor Street, Shaw

north-west-ambulance-service-slideYou may recall we met late last year to discuss Crompton ambulance station.

As you know, it has been closed for some time and ambulance crews have been using Oldham station as their base. This has had no negative impact on performance and response times and in fact, we have seen a very small improvement in response times in the area.

This week, the Trust’s Estates Programme Board agreed that Crompton’s ambulance should continue to operate from Oldham and that the Trust Board should consider the sale of the site. In the meantime, the Service is also looking at alternatives for Oldham station which is also in need or extensive repair. One likely proposal is to jointly share premises with Greater Manchester Fire Service, although discussions are at a very early stage.

We are aware that the Crompton site is attracting ant-social behaviour and we are securing the building as well as we can.

I appreciate it isn’t a great deal of new information for you but I was aware that it has been some time since I updated you.

I will confirm what decision the Board has made at the end of October, in the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Maddy Edgar, Senior Communications Manager, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Headquarters, Ladybridge Hall, 399 Chorley New Road, Bolton BL1 5DD