Candidates should start campaigning about Metro
OVER the past few weeks there has been a number of letters regarding the Metro, the latest being from Bernard Garner, director general of Nexus, in response to Vicki Gilbert.
Further my letter regarding the dangers facing wheelchair passengers when mounting the Metro, I received a copy of a report, commissioned when the disabled scooters became a problem.
I was amazed to see 14 stations were deemed unsuitable for wheelchair access and nothing has been done to rectify that problem, meanwhile there remains a ban on disabled scooters.
Also, there was a letter from Lib Dem councillor and parliamentary candidate David Ord, who says that the Metro cash is hardly enough.
For too long Nexus has evaded its responsibility to meet the Disability Discrimination Act, which was blamed on the fact that there was insufficient funds, although it did not stop Nexus from extending the line to Sunderland without a thought for whether its rolling stock could cope or not.
Two years ago I wrote to complain that Benton station is just one in which the simple task of crossing the line was a major task for the elderly and disabled, having to walk about a kilometre as an alternative, crossing a busy road twice.
At that time the pedestrian bridge had suffered at the hands of vandals and temporary repairs were carried out.
It has remained in such a state since.
I suggested that when it was repaired that a ramp was also provided, I even suggested a lift.
Nexus stated there was insufficient room, and when I disagreed, an engineer's report agreed with me and now we are to have a new bridge and lift at a cost of 500,000, which is fantastic news, but what about the 14 stations still inaccessible for disabled wheelchairs, something no one has mentioned?
In all the sword rattling and pats on the back, it would appear that the largest amount of the grant is to go to back door privatisation, and although there is 580m to spend on upgrading the Metro, I wonder will Mr Garner assure the disabled traveller that the first priority will be to meet the legal requirements for the disabled passenger?
It now costs me 30 return for a disabled taxi just to get to North Shields to bank, all because there is a problem on one side of North Shields station.
This is a journey that would cost me nothing could I be assured of safety in getting on and off the train.
So perhaps David Ord and other parliamentary candidates will campaign for an immediate solution to this problem.
TERRY HARDING
Longbenton
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