MP takes Greenfield station accessibility issue to Parliament

Debbie Abrahams at Greenfield Station

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP, Debbie Abrahams, has taken her campaign to make Greenfield station fully accessible to Parliament.

During Transport Questions in the House of Commons on Thursday, Ms Abrahams asked a government transport minister directly: “When will my disabled constituents get a fully accessible station?”

“Greenfield station in my constituency is completely inaccessible.
 
“Anyone with a mobility impairment, or young children in a buggy, may be able to get a train from Greenfield to Manchester, but they would not be able to come back because they would have to get over the footbridge to get to the exit, which is impossible.
 
“We have applied for every grant available to us to address this and we have never been successful.
 
“If the Government are committed to levelling up, and there’s a lot to level up in the north, when  will the Transport Secretary ensure that my disabled constituents get a fully accessible station?”
 
Replying to her question, transport minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, said: “As I have said at the Dispatch Box a number of times, we have a lot to do in getting all our stations accessible.
 
“This is a Victorian network. While 75% of all passenger journeys go through step-free stations, that means there is a huge number of old stations that need major improvements.
 
“The Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is expected to bring major improvements to several stations along that route, and we are committed to making those stations directly impacted by the TRU more accessible.”
 
Following the debate, Ms Abrahams, told the Chronicle: “Ten years on, we’re still hearing the same excuses. Greenfield station is one of the busiest in Greater Manchester and still is without fully accessible platforms.
 
“Currently passengers travelling towards Huddersfield and Leeds have no step free access, and this is an issue for disabled residents, those with prams or anyone who is unable to use stairs.
 
“Our first option was to include a new, accessible footbridge when full electrification of the line took place. But in 2019, the Government said that electrification wouldn’t extend to Greenfield.   
 
“So I supported the application for the Government’s ‘access for all’ funding from Transport for Greater Manchester, but then that was rejected.
 
“Last month we saw the Government slash the Transport for the North budget, including taking away £105m for smart ticketing schemes. This adds to my concern that commitments to levelling up, including the TRU, will not be met and Greenfield station will be overlooked yet again.”

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