Andy leads test of new tram link

Andy Walker - inspecting his team’s role in the latest part of the Metrolink line to open

Members of Transport for Greater Manchester’s Disability Design Reference Group - including Shaw’s Andy Walker - have ridden the new 3.9 mile Manchester to Droylsden Metrolink extension ahead of its opening next month.

Group members helped to design disabled access on the new stops and took the trip to see how well the finished stops meet the needs of disabled people. The DDRG represents people with a range of disabilities.

Andy, who works with Breakthrough UK and is the new chairman of the DDRG, was paralysed from the neck down while diving in the sea on a holiday in India in 2006.

Since then he has taken on several fundraising feats - including scaling Snowdon for charity.

Andy said: “It was great to get out on the tram to Droylsden and see some of the accessibility improvements the group has been involved in.

“I worked as a construction manager so I’ve enjoyed looking at the new stops from a technical point of view as well as from a wheelchair user’s perspective. Metrolink is a very accessible system and I think the group gave some really positive feedback.

The new Metrolink line, which opens to passengers on February 11, will call at the New Islington, Holt Town, Etihad Campus, Velopark, Clayton Hall, Edge Lane, Cemetery Road and Droylsden stops before going through to Ashton.