TfGM asks Metrolink to look into recent anti-social behaviour at Newbold

Following Rochdale Online’s report about the antisocial-behaviour on the local Metrolink line, Transport for Greater Manchester has asked the tram operator to look into the issue – just days after bosses admitted there are problems on the line with this type of behaviour.

The Rochdale Metrolink service has long been blighted by antisocial behaviour since it began servicing the town centre in 2014, with reports of such behaviour having been reported locally for the previous three years.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117527/antisocial-behaviour-still-plagues-local-metrolink

Since 2015, the Newbold stop in particular has drawn complaints about vandalism and antisocial behaviour when then-MP Simon Danczuk and ward councillor Daalat Ali addressed residents’ concerns.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/98474/residents-condemned-to-lives-of-misery-by-antisocial-behaviour-at-tram-stop

A Transport for Greater Manchester spokesman said: “I’ve asked the operator if they can look into this as they’ll be closer to day-to-day issues of anti-social behaviour and the interventions that are being put in place, but I am aware that there’s been an increased presence in the area recently.

“That will continue for the next couple of weeks and includes TravelSafe Officers (security staff that are dedicated to the Metrolink network) and officers from the TravelSafe Unit (made up of police officers and PCSOs).”

On Monday (26 March), bosses at Transport for Greater Manchester admitted they do have problems with anti-social behaviour on the Metrolink network, particularly at stops in the Oldham and Rochdale areas.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/117487/tfgm-boss-says-metrolink-is- working-hard-to-try-and-combat-antisocial-behaviour-as-third-incident-comes-to-light

In 2015, the impact of vandalism, crime and antisocial behaviour on Metrolink led to a repairs bill of nearly £73,000. In all, Metrolink are responsible for 97 kilometres of track, along with 93 tram stops, with around 41 million people using the service every year.