Pet dogs will be allowed on Metrolink for the first time ever as part of a three-month pilot that’s launching next month.
It’s long been a talking point of Manchester dog owners and it was even teased to be happening earlier this year, but now finally, in less than two weeks time, a new scheme – which was a manifesto pledge made by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham – will be delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and operator Keolis Amey Metrolink (KAM) to finally let our four-legged friends travel on the tram with us.
It’s the first time in the Metrolink’s 30-year history that dogs will be allowed on the trams.
From Monday 1 August, all non-assistance dogs will officially be allowed to travel on the network for free – but they will need to be kept of leads, and TfGM says dog owners using the tram will need to follow new rules on safety, cleanliness, and the consideration of others.
To help decide if the scheme should be extended or made permanent, all Metrolink passengers – including those without dogs – are being urged to share their views and experiences during the pilot.
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“We want the Bee Network to work for everybody and for public transport to be as accessible as possible,” Mayor Andy Burnham said ahead of the pilot.
Pet dogs will be allowed on Metrolink from 1 August as part of a three-month pilot / Credit: TfGM
“Running a pilot scheme allowing non-assistance dogs on Metrolink was one of the pledges I made when I was re-elected as mayor, and I want to thank TfGM and KAM for working together to make this a reality.
“I would now urge everyone who uses Metrolink during this period, including dog owners and those without dogs, to take part in the survey to provide us with the valuable insight we need to inform whether or not we make this permanent.”
TfGM says that throughout the pilot period, passengers bringing their dogs onto trams will be expected to adhere to new guidance.
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The rules are:
Metrolink will allow a maximum of two well-behaved dogs per passenger without charge, but you will be liable for their behaviour.
Dogs must always be kept on a short lead and under control at all times.
Your dog is your responsibility – if your dog is involved in an incident concerning another passenger or member of the public, you will be liable.
Please keep your dog away from assistance dogs and the disabled boarding points.
Make sure you and your dog board and alight the tram together, and be wary of trapping the lead in the door.
If your dog makes a mess on the tram, stop, or anywhere on the network, you will need to clean it up and inform a member of staff where possible.
Dogs are not allowed on seats while travelling on the tram.
Do not let your dog sit under the seats, as there are heaters and other systems which could harm them.
Be considerate of others on the Metrolink network who may be frightened of dogs, or who may be allergic to dog hair.
Be aware of your dog’s needs – bring water and treats for your dog if you need to, but also make sure you have poo bags and wipes so that you can clean up after any mess your dog makes, on or off the tram.
It’s the first time in the Metrolink’s 30-year history that dogs will be allowed on the trams / Credit: Northern
A survey for all Metrolink users to have their say will be made available on the TfGM website when the scheme launches.
A decision on whether dogs will be allowed on trams on a permanent basis will depend on feedback.
Ahead of the scheme launching in a couple of weeks, Danny Vaughan – Head of Metrolink at TfGM – said: “A scheme allowing non-assistance dogs on Metrolink was a manifesto commitment made by the mayor and over the past few months, we have worked with KAM to make this happen.
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“While passengers with dogs will be very welcome on Metrolink, please respect other passengers and our staff by keeping your dog under control.”
You can find out more about the pilot on the Metrolink website here.
Drivers warned of ‘bad habit’ that could land them with £1,000 fines this winter
Emily Sergeant
Drivers are being warned of a ‘bad habit’ on the roads that could seem them hit with hefty fines as winter rolls around.
Once the temperatures drop, and the days get shorter and darker, fog tends to become a more common weather occurrence around this time of year – but an eye-opening new survey has found that most drivers don’t really how to use their fog lights correctly.
According to guidance from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), fog lights should only be used on British roads when visibility drops below 100 metres, yet the new research by eBay has found that 60% of drivers use their fog lights at the wrong times, and what’s more is that one in 10 say they switch on their fog lights when visibility is less than 300 metres.
48% of drivers who took part in the research admitted that they activate full-beam headlights when it’s dark, regardless of oncoming traffic and other road users.
Drivers are being warned of a ‘bad habit’ that could land them with £1,000 fines this winter / Credit: Nabeel Syed (via Unsplash)
The RAC says these stats reveal a ‘worrying trend’ among motorists, and have warned that these habits could actually means drivers are risking fines of up to £1,000 and three penalty points on their licence.
If the incorrect usage of fog lights wasn’t bad enough as it is, the new research also found that many Brits say they do not stay on-top of regular car maintenance when it comes to car fog lights, either – with just 15% saying they check them every month, and shockingly, 24% stating they’ve never checked them before.
Due to the ongoing issue of headlight glare, in whatever form that may be, The RAC has found that as many as one in four drivers (25%) who find headlights ‘too bright’ are actually driving less as a result.
“Unfortunately for a lot of drivers, the annual onset of darker evenings coincides with another unwelcome arrival – that of overly-bright headlights that they believe make driving more difficult due to dazzle and discomfort,” explained Rod Dennis, who is the Senior Policy Officer at the RAC.
“While most of us have no choice other than to adapt to driving at night more often as the clocks go back, the fact headlight glare is the leading cause of nervousness underlines it’s a problem that needs tackling.
“At the same time, it’s important to remember that brighter headlights can give drivers a better view of the road ahead, so there’s a balance to be struck.”
Featured Image – Robin the Bird (via Unsplash)
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Police investigation underway following ‘shocking’ arson at Marple Cenotaph on Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
A public appeal for information has been issued after a fire was started near a war memorial in Stockport on Bonfire Night.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is currently investigating after officers were called out around 9:50pm on Bonfire Night (Wednesday 5 November) following reports of a group of males near to the Cenotaph in Marple.
When police arrived at the scene, they found that a fire had been started in a bin and wooden pallets had been set alight – with the ground nearby having been damaged.
Neighbourhood officers in Marple are now investigating and are appealing for information in relation to this incident.
The incident has been described as a reckless act that could have ended with more damage and even serious injury.
“The Cenotaph means a lot to the community and incidents like this are deeply upsetting, particularly at a time when we should be honouring the memory of our war veterans,” explained Sergeant Rachel Walton, of GMP’s Stockport East Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“We are working closely with partners at Stockport Council and the fire service to ensure the area is cleaned and restored.
“We want to identify the individuals responsible, and we will have extra high-visibility patrols in the park each evening leading up to the Remembrance Day service on Sunday (9 November).”
This incident is just one of a total of 350 calls related to fire or fireworks that GMP responded to on Bonfire Night, which is said to be an increase from 203 last year.
A total of 27 arrests were made across Greater Manchester, with four weapons and hundreds of fireworks seized.
Emily Sergeant -
21st July 2022 
