COPY OF THE RECENT RESPONSE ABOUT MY QUESTIONS ABOUT DOUBLE TRAMS ON THE SHAW AND CROMPTON METROLINK LINE

shaw tram

Dear Councillor Sykes,

RE: Metrolink Travel

Thank you for your recent correspondence in relation to the Metrolink network.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) recognises that many parts of the system would benefit from additional capacity and is constantly examining ways in which we could increase capacity on the Metrolink network, particularly during the peak periods.  We normally do this by doubling trams where possible.

We phase the doubles across the network to serve customers travelling in both directions between all Metrolink lines at the times of highest demand.

Three double trams have been operating on Rochdale services all day within the 12 minute service.

The opening of our Exchange Square Metrolink stop on 6 December means that the Rochdale line to Shaw and Crompton now benefits from an increased frequency which provides much more capacity than the 12 minute frequency previously deployed.

Feedback from our customers during the initial three weeks following the opening of Exchange Square has been positive and has indicated that our customers are enjoying a much more comfortable experience, particularly during peak times.

Earlier this year we received our 100th tram of the 120 ordered and as and when the remaining 20 trams arrive we will be in a position to increase the number of double trams and place them where demand is at its highest.

I hope you find this response helpful and if I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or our Customer Services Manager, Sean Dyball via sean.dyball@tfgm.com

Yours sincerely

Peter Cushing

Metrolink Director

TfGM urged to consider using ‘Cycle Alert’ to improve safety

cycle-alert

Copy of recent correspondence to the CX of TfGM re ‘Cycle Alert’ (and his reply).

This is currently being used in York and has clearly improved cycle safety and I am pleased to report TfGM will be looking into this matter. 

For copy of his reply follow this link: Cllr Sykes Cycle alert

My original request about this matter is below.

To: Jon Lamonte
Subject: Lamonte – Cycle Alert – Re Draft

Dear Dr. Lamonte,

Re: Cycle Alert

I am writing to you in connection with something that I saw recently in York, a safety innovation called Cycle Alert.

I do not profess to understand all of the technology, but essentially the safety system comprises an electronic unit located on a bus and a unit placed on cycles.

The two units bounce signals other and a warning is sounded in the bus driver’s cab alerting him when a cyclist is nearby, particularly when the cyclist is in a blind spot.

Although 23% of cyclist deaths were caused by HGVs, I am sure some deaths and injuries must be inflicted to cyclists each year by buses.

This system seems effective and is relatively cheap but placed against the cost of a life lost that is priceless, cost seems immaterial.

In York, Transdev buses have been fitted with Cycle Alert since 2013.  Independent market research released from Actionline research stated that 88% of Transdev drivers give the system a positive rating, and a whopping 95% recommended that it should be used by other bus companies in the city.

Given that Greater Manchester is a more built up and busy conurbation, I would suggest the benefits of installing Cycle Alert on buses across the region must be immense.

To assist you, I have attached information sourced from the Cycle Alert website (www.cyclealert).

I would welcome your views on this matter and how such technology could be applied in Greater Manchester.

I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Yours sincerely

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE