Cheadle and Gatley Lib Dems are moving
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by Lib Dem team on 13 November, 2015
After several reports and far too much discussion – but no actual decisions – the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee finally got to the point today where the proposal for a limited trial of allowing dogs on trams would be voted on – something the Lib Dems have been pushing for for some months now.
The idea has the support of the public – TfGM’s own surveys showed more than 70% supported it. The proposal was modest – that dogs be allowed on trams only in secure containers that could be carried.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough. The proposal was voted down by all the Conservatives and all but three of the Labour councillors, with all the Lib Dems voting in favour.
My Oldham colleague Cllr Howard Sykes then proposed an alternative trial – allowing dogs on trams off-peak but only if they are on leads. That was voted down by Labour and Conservative councillors in the same way.
It was disappointing that the committee couldn’t support the Lib Dems in having a limited trial, and we will look at what we can do next on this issue.
3 Comments
What was the reasoning for the proposals being out voted? I thought we lived in a democracy & if you have a report that states 70% are in favour then the councillors have no right to overturn that level of public opinion.
I am forced to use the car on a regular trip to Bury…because I take the dog who is a big softie incidentally!
I understand not all dogs are as good but on leads & with a mussel (if necessary) should be accepted.
It does not make sense that they are allowed on other forms of transport but not the more modern easy to keep clean trams.
Hi Neville, you’d have to ask the other councillors for their reasons I think. The two non-Lib-Dem Stockport councillors on the committee (Syd Lloyd for the Tories and Dean Fitzpatrick for Labour) both opposed the change, but I don’t think either spoke so I don’t know their reasons.
Wait what? Even blind people can’t take their dogs on board?