Graham reports back from Friends of Scholes Park meeting
Cheadle and Gatley Liberal Democrats
Demand more Learn more
Graham reports back from Friends of Scholes Park meeting
Gatley's Lucy Boxes
Sign up for weekly emails
Rail passenger figures show Gatley treading water
by Lib Dem team on 14 January, 2020
The latest rail user figures have been released by the Office for Road and Rail. While Waterloo Station retains its spot as (by far) the busiest UK station, Birmingham New Street is the only non-London station to make it into the top 10.
We’ve looked at the Stockport stations and Gatley is one of the few to have seen very little change in numbers.
“Gatley has been badly hit by train cancellations and delays this year, so it’s no surprise that we’ve not seen an increase in passenger numbers. If anything, it’s surprising we haven’t seen a fall, ” said Cllr Iain Roberts.
“Northern Rail have been poor, and their franchise should be removed. But no-one should think that’s going to solve the problems. If we want a frequent and reliable rail service, we need the infrastructure improvements we were promised several years ago including new platforms at Manchester Piccadilly,” Iain added.
Two of the three quietest stations in the country – Reddish South and Denton – are just down the road. These are so-called Parliamentary stations, getting a couple of trains a week just so the line can legally stay open.
I think the headline for this item says it all,
Gatley Station Treading Water
In view of the fact that under the bridge at the pelican crossing as soon as it rains it floods, and if you use the crossing you are likely to get soaked.
Despite a number of requests for the council to clean out the grids they have failed to do so.
That headline is apt for the A555
The services from Gatley are worse than they were 20 years ago. Frequent cancellations and delays means its easier to sit in traffic polluting the environment on the A34 than commute by train into town. Oh, and then the train fares go up!
Having retired some years ago I was called back to work in Manchester last week, needing to be in (near Victoria Station) for 0845. Trains at 0705, 0753 and 0806 meant that the only option was the 0753 which, thankfully, arrived pretty much on time. The platform was (dangerously ?) overcrowded and, not surprisingly, the train was packed. Waiting at signals outside Piccadilly for 5 minutes meant that I missed the tram to Victoria so just made it to work on time. If this is typical I am surprised that anyone puts up with it week in, week out.
I have given up using the train from Gatley and get the tram instead – either by driving to East Didsbury tram stop or walking to Benchill.
Train delays and cancellations, also at the end of the day trying to return home. Packed trains when they do come, together with the very poor service from the usual Gatley station train employee, make Gatley Station a place not to be!