Local commuters across Salford face continued overcrowding after it emerged that the Government’s promise of over 180 desperatedly-needed new carriages for local train operator Northern Rail has been slashed to a maximum of 106. Passengers from local stations in Irlam, Walkden, Swinton, Moorside, Eccles and Patricroft will lose out due to these cuts.
Government officials had agreed to provide the extra carriages but have now reneged on this promise. Transport bosses including Cllr Ian MacDonald, Worsley Councillor and Vice-Chairman of GMITA, have written to Ministers and are working hard to secure these extra carriages for Greater Manchester.
Councillor Iain Lindley, Prospective Conservative MP for Worsley & Eccles South, said:
“Local people travelling on our rail lines through Walkden, Eccles and Irlam suffer terrible overcrowding and inadequate services. These carriages are desperately-needed - the Labour Government promised these extra trains and they have now betrayed that promise. Commuters will now continue to suffer on overcrowded services due to Labour’s decision to break their promise and slash the number of new carriages”
The results of the Government’s “Place Survey”, which asked residents across the country about their views on their local Council, makes damning reading for Labour-run Salford Council.
- Only 24.4% thought that the Council provided value-for-money
- 33.7% were “satisfied or fairly satisfied” with the Council
- Just 45.8% were satisfied with the way the Council picks up litter
- 23.5% thought they were able to influence decisions in their area
Councillor Iain Lindley, Prospective MP for Worsley & Eccles South, said:
“Labour have let down Salford and taken residents for granted - this Labour Council simply do not listen. Local people are rightly scathing of the Council’s record.
Salford residents pay one of the highest rates of Council Tax in the region. Their money is poured down the drain on glossy propaganda, yet they see successful schools like St George’s earmarked for closure and the Council cannot even empty the bins on the correct day consistently.
It is no wonder that less than a quarter of Salford people think the Council delivers value-for-money and only a third are even “fairly satisfied” with the Council. Labour have lost the trust of Salford people - it’s time for a change”.
