Concerns over Transport Proposals as City Action Team Call for More Consultation

City Centre Labour Campaigner Anthony McCaul and Town Hall City Centre Chief Cllr Pay Karney are today calling for an extension of the consultation period on the Regional Centre Transport Strategy so that residents in the City Centre can have a proper say on proposals. 

At a meeting at the LGF for Friends of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation last night, attended by Anthony, and organised by LGF in conjunction with GMPTE, concerns were raised about the way the consultation exercise has taken place, particularly in the City Centre in areas where major proposals will affect residents’ quality of life and threaten the character of the Village.

GMPTE proposals include the creation of a massive new bus station on Chorlton Street which will include taking over the surface car park where the Pride Main Stage is held and dramatically increasing the number of buses using a new redeveloped bus terminus.

Anthony said: “This is clearly a very important issue – it’s not just for geeky transport bods. Major proposals for changes to Chorlton Street could dramatically alter life in the Village and have a far-reaching effect on this much-loved area. That’s why we’re calling for more consultation and a clear commitment from GMPTE and the Council that there will be full rolling consultation with City Centre residents and Village groups and users.”

Councillor Pat Karney added: “These are radical proposals and it’s important that GMPTE get this right. The Village is a special place and we need to protect that. The devil will be in the detail and that’s why we’re calling for and extension to the existing consultation and further far-reaching consultation about this.”

Ends

A copy of the consultation document can be found here