Agenda item

The following questions were received from Parish Councillor Louie Hamblett and replied to:-

Question 1

On Sunday 19th November evening two trams had their windows broken by acts of vandalism, from people throwing ballast from the embankment between Failsworth and Hollinwood. I myself was a passenger on one of the two trams. The following evening, 29th November, a tweet was sent out by Metrolink to state that more acts of vandalism were carried out on the East Didsbury Line, but did not state where, A later tweet then went out to state it had affected the whole Rochdale Line also, however when quizzed by tweeter as to what can be done Metrolink stated it was out of their hands and for GMP to be assisting on.

Could the DE please urge Metrolink to perhaps invest in track side fencing or higher fencing, as many passengers feel that the impending transportation costs do not justify the safety levels and loss of service should a tram be damaged. 

Reply

A couple of points in relation to this. Firstly, the tweeter probably wasn’t quite right in that it is not entirely the responsibility of GMP. Perhaps on that occasion they were waiting for GMP to arrive at the scene.

In reality we are working quite closely together on the problem – TfGM, GMP and the Metrolink Operator. Following the incidents this last weekend and earlier this week (in fact it happened 3 days in a row) the Operator have increased staff presence on the Oldham and Rochdale Line as have GMP and they did at least 3 nights (to my knowledge) of plain clothes patrols.

Stone throwing always “spikes” at this time of year following bonfire night with darker evenings. It is all too easy for youths to target trams under cover of darkness and very disappointing (and expensive) for us.

We try not to stop services when this happens, except to remove the damaged tram from service, but when it happens to 2 trams in a row we stop the next services from running through until we can be sure that the area is clear of vandals. We will always call the police but quite often it is the Operator’s staff who respond. This can take time. Unfortunately we disrupt our passengers’ journeys while we do this but most understand it is for their safety. We had a very serious incident earlier this year where a driver was badly hurt after a rock was dropped from a bridge and entered the cab, which really shows that our safety concerns are justified.

Following that incident, we erected some temporary high level fencing on some structures – but we found that this didn’t deter the most determined vandals. The most effective method is providing a visible presence of GMP or security personnel.

The focus of our efforts now is to deploy our limited resource sensibly – targeting the most prolific areas at those times and days that give the worst problems. We have had some success but in reality these incidents continue to affect our service, so we must continue.

In some locations we are actively considering high level fencing on a permanent basis. We will be doing so at Freehold where residents have complained of persistent problems with stones being thrown at properties. This will happen in the new year but we have encountered significant problems along the way as the foundations and structure required for this type of fencing are quite challenging, especially where space is tight or the tram lines are on embankments or in cuttings. Fencing also does not satisfy many of our neighbours and in fact we find that most people object to this as it makes the area less attractive in their view.

Our preference is therefore not to install additional infrastructure but to deal with the problems through intelligent deployment of staff, security and police resources. We use CCTV in doing this do, and in trying to prosecute individuals involved.

Lastly, we work with schools and other community groups to work with youngsters and try to influence their behaviour.

Question 2

A rather large amount of money appears to have been spent on the internal improvements and decorations to both Oak Gables and Village Medical practice waiting rooms, reception area and corridors, does this mean that the likelihood of a new health centre within our area has been pushed back?    

Additionally does the DE agree with me that no amount of paint and internal improvements to both practices will cover the desperate need for a new health centre and that this matter requires pressing more than ever?    

Reply

GP practices are businesses and choose where and what to refurbish on their premises. The matter of a new health centre is entirely separate and this has not been approved to go forward. For a new health centre in Shaw, land and capital investment would need to be identified. Councillors have been trying to make progress, however the health professions were not supportive.

A further matter was raised with regards to the Village Medical Practice lack of PPG meetings.

It was RESOLVED that:-

1.     The District Executive would write to Healthwatch in relation to the Village Medical Practice lack of PPG meetings.

2.     The District Executive would write to Practice Managers to invite them to meet with Councillors to discuss the provision of new health centre, requesting them to provide a written response.