Transport for Greater Manchester have launched another new campaign – this time its against poor parking which they say impacts other motorists, pedestrians and public transport users. This includes cars being parked too close to tram lines causing delays to Metrolink services.
One problem area highlighted is in Oldham where, according to Metrolink staff, people frequently park too close to the tracks between Oldham King Street and Oldham Central stops. Since January there have been at least 13 incidents of Metrolink services being disrupted or service changes being needed because trams can’t get through.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “A poorly or illegally parked car can cause a ripple effect that affects a lot more people that you might think – whether that’s other motorists, people on a tram or bus or those walking, wheeling, or scooting. We are working hard to encourage more people to get on board with public transport and active travel through the transformational Bee Network and reducing some of the causes of congestion is key to that, especially enabling us to improve the reliability of bus services.
“We are looking at a range of measures, including lane rentals and red route schemes on certain key corridors, but people can help make a difference right now by simply taking a moment to think about how their parking might affect other people.”
As well as presenting a safety risk, poor and illegally parked cars can damage Greater Manchester’s productivity by slowing down cars, trams, buses and emergency vehicles and contributing to overall congestion and slower journeys for all.
Parking on the pavement also causes problems for people using them, particularly people with mobility issues and users of wheelchairs or prams/buggies. This practice frequently puts pedestrians at risk of harm by forcing them into the road to get past parked cars.
There really needs to be a dedicated warden on Union St where the fried chicken and European shops are located. Daytime or evening the parking on both footpaths or perpendicular obstructing tram tracks needs to be seen to be believed.
Those involved seem to think themselves immune to enforcement particularly the Uber Eats and Just Eat contingent who’s vehicles very probably aren’t even insured for business use!