Don’t blame us!
Reporter: Gillian Potts
Date published: 20 March 2013
STRANDED . . . in December, this car got stuck where Mumps Bridge used to be
TRANSPORT chiefs are blaming bad driving for a spate of cars getting stuck on tram tracks at Mumps.
At least four cars have driven on to the line since December resulting in major disruption across the network. In the latest incident on Friday, police helped to recover a car which drove on to the Rochdale line – stopping all services for almost an hour.
But Transport for Greater Manchester director Peter Cushing claims all possible safety measures were in place.
“The measures are based on industry-standard principles,” he said.
“Considering how busy the area is, this is clearly not an issue for the vast majority of motorists.
“Each of the incidents to date has been isolated. In one case a driver was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving, so it’s not a question of the same mistake being made each time. We have responded by making minor adjustments to make things even clearer.”
But several Chronicle readers disagreed: one claimed a confusing layout nearly saw him turning on to the tracks.
“It’s so easy to mistake the track as the road because of the red reflective lights. It needs big “no entry” signs up and some form of bollard - it’s poor design,” said motorist Simon Staples.
Others complained the signs aren’t visible at night and are obstructed at certain angles.
Another reader added: “It’s far too easy for the authorities to pass the blame on to motorists.”
