Anger as subway will close during rail strikes
A TRAIN company has been slammed after it said a well-used station underpass which links a suburb with a town centre would be closed during next week’s rail strikes.
More than 40,000 staff at Network Rail and 13 train operators are expected to walk out next week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in a dispute over pay and redundancies. It means the number of services being run is being slashed, with a number of stations not being served, including Stockport.
A councillor has joined a number of residents in hitting out at Avanti West Coast, which manages the station after it announced it would close on the strike days.
It means a tunnel which runs underneath the railway line between Edgeley and the town centre will also be out of use. Avanti says for ‘security purposes’ it cannot be left open unless the station is staffed and that all rail staff will be required on routes where services are running.
Edgeley ward councillor Shelia Bailey accused the firm of being ‘inconsiderate’ to locals.
The underpass is a widely-used route into the town centre for those living in Edgeley in Shaw Heath.
There was an outcry in 2015, with more than 5,000 people signing a petition when ticket barriers were installed at either end as part of a bid to clamp down on fare dodging. Those wanting to pass through are now allowed to do so by station staff.
Coun Bailey said: “I really don’t see why it should be closed. It’s very easy to just block off access to the station platforms. It would certainly help people.
“It’s used by people going to work, to the town centre, to Grand Central. And closing it is an unnecessary inconvenience
that will be imposed on residents. It’s completely inconsiderate.”
A footbridge which ran over the railway line from the Shaw Heath roundabout to Thomson Street next to Edgeley Armoury has been removed and is not due to be replaced until the Autumn. It means those wanting to walk into the town centre face having to use Greek Street or Heaton Lane to bypass the station, adding to the journey times. A spokesperson for Avanti West Coast said: “For security purposes, the underpass at Stockport can only open when staff are present at the station. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this will cause.”
Northern and Transpennine Express have encouraged passengers not to travel with them on strike days.