You might recall me raising the issue of the ‘new’ cycle storage facilities that we’ve been given at Heaton Park Metrolink and, as far as I know, at other stations on the Bury Line.

At present one of the cycle storage doors has been ripped open by vandals, which wouldn’t give me much confidence to store a bike in one of the other ones. At Radcliffe the situation has been even worse, with all four doors torn open.

The response from Transport for Greater Manchester is that: “The significant issue with cycle storage facilities on the Bury line is at Radcliffe Metrolink stop, where the initial doors on the lockers were vandalised shortly after installation. The vandalised doors have been removed to ensure that they do not pose a hazard. TfGM is now preparing an order for reinforced doors that will enable passengers to use this important facility again in due course.”

I have now asked if this will apply to other stations where there has been vandalism – including our own stations here in Prestwich.

I also asked about whether Transport for Greater Manchester would review its policy of not transporting cycles. Personally I can’t see why we can’t do what tram and train systems the whole world over do, which is allow bikes onboard. In Manchester we probably need to say the same as in London – which is ‘off peak only’.

The answer? “With regard to the safe carriage of cycles on Metrolink, GMCA and TfGMC have maintained this as a long-term policy aspiration …. However, the current levels of passenger demand, which extend beyond the traditional commuter peak period, and the capacity limitations of the system mean that cycles cannot be safely accommodated in the current circumstances.”

I guess “long term” means “never” in this case, given that we’ve had Metrolink for 20 years now, and we’ve just bought lots of new trams that will do doubt still be operating in 25 years time.

Meanwhile – take a look at the luxury cylce storage facility which is currently being built at Bury Interchange. As usual one rule for Bury Town Centre, and another for the rest of us.

Tim