Anger at rail station bypass closure
ATRAIN company is set to shut an underpass at a busy railway station during lockdown, but councillors have accused them of putting profits before staff welfare.
Avanti West Coast oversees services at Stockport train station, but has decided to temporarily shut the underpass that links Edgeley to the town centre to maintain health and safety of staff.
Only those who are key workers or staff at the station will be allowed to use the underpass when the closure cams into place from Monday April 20.
The firm said it had consulted Stockport Council before it went ahead with the closure, which it said the council agreed to at the time. Avanti said there is an alternative route between Edgeley and central Stockport which would take roughly the same amount of time, but some disagree.
A number of councillors have written to Avanti to oppose the move, criticising the train company for its ‘contradictory’ reasons for the closure.
Edgeley and Cheadle Heath representatives, Coun Matt Wynne, Coun Sheila Bailey and Coun Phillip Harding, have all signed the letter.
Their Brinnington and Central ward counterparts, Coun Becky Crawford, Coun Andy Sorton and Coun Kerry Waters, have done the same.
The councillors are concerned closing off the underpass to all but staff and key workers will put staff in harm’s way.
The plan is for the ticket gates at the underpass to be closed, which councillors are concerned will mean staff have to police those using the route to check if they are in fact key workers with train tickets - putting them in more contact with the public.
The letter states: “We understand that due to the public health emergency, unpopular and difficult decisions are being taken, which Avanti West Coast is no exception.
“However we find it difficult to understand the rationale and see the inherent contradictions in the decision to close this thoroughfare off that our residents use to access the town centre for work and to access essential goods.
“We perceive this as not understanding the sensitivities of the situation we are in and a decision not with the interests of the public and your employees in mind but one that seeks to protect revenue and profit over people.”
A spokesperson for Avanti West Coast said: “As we continue to deal with COVID-19, the safety of our staff, customers and communities is paramount, which is why access to Stockport underpass is temporarily restricted and only open to key workers and those making essential journeys by train. The temporary closure to members of the public was agreed by Stockport Borough Council and is solely for the protection and safety of our staff and people who need to use the station.
“Any other suggestion is simply untrue.”
Avanti wrote back to the concerned councillors and said: “We do appreciate your concerns, however, please be assured that this measure is not in any way intended for financial protection purposes.
“Our staff have observed that there are relatively few people using the passageway anyway; only a few of those are travelling and most appear to hold tickets.”