A train company have been slammed after they said a well-used station underpass which links a Stockport suburb with the town centre would be closed during next week's rail strikes.
More than 40,000 staff at Network Rail and 13 train operators are expected to walk out next week on Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Saturday 25 June in a dispute over pay and redundancies. It means the number of services being run is being dramatically slashed with a number of stations not being served, including Stockport.
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However, a local councillor has joined a number of residents in hitting out at Avanti West Coast, who manages the station after they announced it would closed completely on the day of the strikes.
It means a tunnel which runs underneath the railway line between Edgeley and the town centre will also be out of use. Avanti say for "security purposes" it cannot be left open unless the station is staffed and that all rail staff will be required on routes where services are running.
However, Edgeley ward councillor Shelia Bailey accused them of being 'inconsiderate' to locals with the move. The underpass runs from the Edgeley station entrance on Station Road to the town centre entrance on the opposite side of the tracks, at Grand Central.
It is a widely used route into the town centre amongst those living in Edgeley in Shaw Heath. There was an outcry in 2015, with over 5,000 people signing a petition when ticket barriers were installed at either end. as part of a bid to clamp down on fare dodging. However, those wanting to pass through are now allowed to do so by station staff.
And Coun Bailey believes it should be kept open during next week's industrial action. "I really don't see why it should be closed," she said. "It's very easy to just block off access to the station platforms. It would certainly help people.
"It's used by people going to work, to the town centre, to Grand Central. And closing it is an unnecessary inconvenience that will be imposed on residents. It's completely inconsiderate."
A footbridge which ran over the railway line from the Shaw Heath roundabout to Thomson Street next to Edgeley Armoury has been removed and is not due to be replaced until the Autumn. It means those wanting to walk into the town centre face having to use Greek Street or Heaton Lane to walk around the station, adding to the journey times.
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"They have just taken the easy option to close the whole thing rather than thinking about local residents which is what they should have done" she added.
"If we want to encourage more walking and cycling and moving away from cars we need to make it as easy as possible for people."
A spokesperson for Avanti West Coast said: “With no trains stopping at Stockport on strike days (Tuesday 21, Thursday 23, and Saturday 25 June), the station will be closed and our contingency staff are being utilised where the route is open.
"For security purposes, the underpass at Stockport can only open when staff are present at the station. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this will cause.”
Northern and Transpennine Express have encouraged passengers not to travel with them on the strikes with Transport for Greater
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