MP ‘delighted’ with Greenfield accessibility news

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has said she is ‘delighted’ with the news that after so long, Greenfield Station is finally to become fully accessible. 

Ms Abrahams has been campaigning for many years to improve accessibility at Greenfield Station, with passengers travelling towards Huddersfield and Leeds still having no step free access; the same issue faced by passengers with mobility issues travelling from Manchester to Greenfield.

The plans to improve accessibility are likely to involve a lift to the platform accessed from Oldham Road, as well as reopening another access route.

Ms Abrahams said: “I am delighted with the news that Greenfield Station will become accessible on both sides.

"I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported our campaign. 

"This is something I have been pressing for since my election in 2011.

"I will continue to press for greater detail on how this will be achieved and on what timescale. 

"I remain wary of any changes given we have had so many promises broken by this Government when it comes to rail, such as the recent cancellation of HS2 and the drastic scaling back of Northern Powerhouse Rail last year.

"Moreover, we must recognise that this is the bare minimum that can we deserve and I will continue my campaigns on further improvements at Greenfield station.

"This includes fighting to save the ticket office at Greenfield. 

"Since the recent plans to close almost every ticket office in the country, including ours at Greenfield were first proposed, I have been campaigning to save them.

"I have written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission Chief Executive Marcial Boo about the impact of the proposals on inequalities for disabled and older people.

"After my call for evidence from station users I also wrote to Huw Merriman MP, Minister for Rail, to express the concern of local residents about the proposed closure of the ticket office at Greenfield station.

"We also have the ongoing saga of a service from TransPennine Express that is simply not fit for purpose.

"Whilst there is some progress after Government finally took over the franchise back in May, we are still seeing significant delays and last minute cancellations affecting people’s journeys.”

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