Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, embarked on an early morning train journey with Pure client Nathaniel and our CEO Louise Parrott-Bates, to see hazardous obstacles to accessibility in our transport network.
Nathaniel, who has cerebral palsy and a sight impairment, is a passionate campaigner on this issue. He wants change so much that he has set up his own petition calling for improvements.
First Stop Blues
First stop on the morning’s journey was Reddish North train station. Here Nathaniel showed the Mayor and Louise the old iron bridge, with steep and open stairs, that spans the track. It renders the far platform completely inaccessible to so many. As a result they could go no further. They were obliged to turn round and catch a bus to the next station on their journey instead – and things weren’t much better there!
You can see this, plus the other obstacles they encountered and their impassioned discussion, in this short video, courtesey of the Mayor’s team. Then, please scroll down a little for the rest of Nathaniel’s story.
Andy took a trip from Reddish North to Manchester Victoria on Thursday morning with accessibility rights campaigner @saysnathaniel to look at disability access on our public transport.
This video shows what they found.
Sign Nathaniel’s petition here: https://t.co/5yTeAyiUxE pic.twitter.com/XlUAdzryx1
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham (@MayorofGM) July 31, 2021
Nathaniel’s outrage at the 45 stairs he has to tackle at one rail station, is reflected in the fury Andy feels for him. They agree: it just shouldn’t be like this in the 21st century.
Commitment To Change
Pushing Network Rail to make the neccessary improvements to station accessiblity is very much on the Mayor’s to-do list. His plans were laid out in his 2021 manifesto. (see p.9)
And, as Louise explains, Nathaniel is definitely not one to sit back and do nothing either.
Nathaniel has been highlighting his concerns to local councillors, Transport for Greater Manchester, Network Rail and other companies. He is actively petitioning for change.
Louise Parrott-Bates. Pure Innovations CEO
Andy was keen to know more about the issues and we travelled into Manchester by train, two busses and a tram.
He was clearly impressed with how informed and articulate Nathaniel is. Nathaniel is promoting accessibility not just for disabled people but for those with pushchairs and anyone with difficulties around mobility.
Making change happen and raising this issue with government has become a mission for Nathaniel and one in which I think he will succeed.
Sign Nathaniel’s Transport Accessibility Petition
Nathaniel is inviting everyone wanting more accessibility in public transport to sign his petition. In it, he is calling for greater provision of ramps and lifts at stations.
If you would like to support him and sign, you can just click this link to reach the petition.
Find out about Pure Innovations services in Greater Manchester.
