Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Labour and Conservative councillors join up to block Lib Dem proposal to allow a trial for dogs on trams
The Leader of the Opposition and of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, who sits on the Committee of Transport for Greater Manchester, has condemned Labour and Conservative Councillors for blocking a proposal to allow dogs on trams.
“Constituents have told me that they would like to see dogs allowed on trams, and TfGM’s own polling shows most people are in favour. Dogs are allowed on buses and on trains without any problems so why not on trams? This would enable responsible dog owners to take the tram across Greater Manchester to walk with their pet, or just use the tram to link into main line train services when visiting relatives or going on holiday,” claimed Councillor Sykes
“The Lib Dem proposal was a modest first step – a trial to allow dogs on trams. Why the Labour and the Conservative councillors would gang up together to block even a trial, against the wishes of the public, beggars belief,” he added.
The decision was taken at the TfGM Policy sub-committee last Friday. The Chair did not permit any discussion and moved directly to a vote. A final decision will be made on Friday 13th November at the full TfGM Committee.
“We are not giving up,” Cllr Sykes said. “The Liberal Democrats will make the case next Friday – I will try to speak on this if I am allowed to.”
The TfGM report proposing a limited trial of dogs on trams can be found here: http://www.transportforgreatermanchestercommittee.gov.uk/tfgmc/downloads/download/1104/capital_projects_and_policy_sub_committee_-_friday_6_november_2015_-_meeting_paper
Road works w/c 9 November 15
Salts Street/Fraser Street, Shaw – temporary traffic signals: 9 – 13 Nov 15
Temporary signals will be in place on Fraser Street, at its junction with Salts Street, from 9th – 13th November, to undertake works to an electrical supply.
Road works bulletin w/c 2 Nov 15
Road works bulletin W/C 26 Oct 15
Sykes supports RNIB in Campaigning for Rights of Blind and Partially Sighted
Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, who is a member of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee (TfGMC), has written to its Chief Executive Dr Jon Lamonte asking the Transport Executive to support two campaigns of the RNIB (the Royal National Institute for the Blind) to meet the needs of blind and partially-sighted passengers.
Cllr Sykes said: “On Thursday 8th October we marked World Sight Day, an annual occasion which provides cause to reflect on the needs of blind and partially-sighted people. Given their condition, most are reliant on public transport to get about and it is important that all of the services funded by Transport for Greater Manchester are responsive to their needs.”
The RNIB (the Royal National Institute for the Blind) has two ongoing campaigns in support of the rights of blind and partially-sighted passengers:
- “Stop for me, Speak to me” – which seeks a commitment from bus drivers to be aware of the presence of such passengers at bus stops, to actively stop for them and to engage them in conversation to ascertain their desired designation and provide pro-active assistance.
- “We’re on Board” – a 13-point charter that sets out the commitments they want bus operators to sign up to in order to improve the travel experience of blind and partially-sighted passengers.
Cllr Sykes has asked Dr. Lamonte to identify which bus operators in Greater Manchester have committed themselves to supporting the objectives of both campaigns; what TfGM is doing to encourage them to do so; and what otherwise is being done to champion the rights of blind and partially-sighted bus passengers.
Cllr Sykes added: “With Disability Month coming up in December, now is the time to review current operating arrangements to be sure that they follow best practice and the recommendations made by the RNIB.”
“I look forward to receiving Dr Lamonte’s response and to raising this issue with colleagues from local authorities across Greater Manchester at future meetings of the committee. I hope that we can make progress in making Greater Manchester a welcoming and inclusive destination for passengers who are blind or partially sighted”.
Roadworks Bulletin W/C Monday 19 Oct 15
Disabled access to ASDA off Duke Street
Pleased to report, after much chasing over many months, we now have a dropped kerb on Duke Street.
This will now allow those in wheelchairs/with difficulty walking or with push chairs can gain access to the pedestrian ramp that was constructed at this location to get to ASDA.
Oldham Lib Dems join Fair Deal Devo campaign
The Leader of the Opposition and Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has pledged the support of Oldham Liberal Democrats for the Fair Deal Devo campaign launched by the Manchester Evening News, Bolton News, Wigan Evening Post and Oldham Evening Chronicle.
Cllr Sykes: “Although the Chancellor has talked a lot about devolution and about the fabled Northern Powerhouse, the Government has yet to prove that it is sincere in its intention by offering a fair funding deal for Greater Manchester.”
“Liberal Democrat Councillors in Greater Manchester are ready and willing to accept the challenge and responsibility of devolution to make our region still Greater, but we need to have the cash to make it happen. This is why we welcome and are backing the Deal Devo campaign.”
The Oldham Liberal Democrat Group has been calling for fair transport funding for the region to close the gap between London and Greater Manchester, and is opposed to further Police and local authority funding cuts and the government proposals to close both of the borough’s courthouses.
Cllr Sykes added: “Devolution represents an exciting opportunity for local authorities across Greater Manchester to work together to transform the lives of the region’s residents and to make service improvements that reflect local needs and that create local jobs. But it will not work if Government money does not follow the transfer of power, and we will not accept any attempt by Government to merely pass on responsibility for carrying out difficult cuts.”
The Oldham Liberal Democrats are firmly committed to seeing transparency in the work of the new Combined Authority – where all the Greater Manchester councils work together using the devolved powers and budget.
“It isn’t enough just to tell people what’s going on. The new Combined Authority will be assuming responsibility for a massive devolved budget amounting to many billions of pounds and will be taking on board new areas of work affecting the lives of millions of people.”
“The Liberal Democrats do not believe in telling people what we will do and then doing it for them. We want to actively involve Greater Manchester residents in making the decisions that affect their lives and in shaping the services that their taxes pay for. And we want to work with people and communities to deliver those services more effectively and in a more responsive and accountable way.”
“So we want information to be in plain English, and available on-line and on demand, and we want all meetings to be open to the public and to be webcast so taxpayers can call their representatives to account. That’s real democracy and that’s what as Oldham Liberal Democrats we aspire for in the new structure for the Combined Authority.”