Metrolink Madness

After last nights fracas getting into Manchester for my birthday meal, Mum has advised I take a torch with me when I venture out again. I'd go one step further knowing my luck as it invariably turns into a 'Bear Grylls' style expedition. So in my bag I plan to take along guy ropes, compass, carabiner clips, flask of tea and a small Tupperware box containing mealy worms, just in case I get peckish en route!

Anyway, here's my email to the Metrolink shitheads...

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to you with regard to the appalling maintenance of Hollinwood Tram Station. 

I set out out earlier this evening as I'd booked a meal for a special occasion in Manchester city centre. As a severely physically disabled person who uses a wheelchair, I took a carer with me and allowed for sufficient travel time. I was meeting friends at a specific time, therefore I was mindful of not being late. 

To my dismay, after my carer had parked in the car park and got me out of my adapted vehicle, I noticed that one of the lifts had been vandalised. Having gone round the other side to the second lift, I found that wasn't working either! The only other option was to trek the lengthy route to the ramp in my wheelchair which was also beset with problems. My hand was scratched to bits by some overhanging thorny bramble bushes as I passed by, and I had to navigate the narrow path extremely carefully as there was virtually no lighting to illuminate the way. Coming back was even worse as I had to deal with wind and rain which made the problem more difficult. 

There seems to be an issue every time I venture out into Manchester from this particular tram stop. I shouldn't need to remind you that having at least one lift working is imperative for those who are physically disabled. My wheelchair cannot be lifted down steps and neither can I having a very rare bone condition. Whose bright idea was it to put the ramp seemingly miles away from the car park whereby you cannot pick up or drop off should aforementioned lifts be out of order?

You seem to be on the ball when it comes to checking errant travellers who haven't paid for a tram ticket and yet actually making sure lifts are in working order and not having been damaged by delinquents isn't high on your list of priorities. 

I'd be grateful if you can look into this matter as I'd prefer not having to get my carer to take my car into Manchester whenever I wanted to visit the city centre, although I doubt you'd appreciate how arduous it is finding a disabled parking space in a reasonable location that isn't a hike to Market Street or Exchange Square. As for being in the back of a moving vehicle when it goes over the innumerable potholes in central Manchester with a painful, debilitating bone impairment, well that's another matter entirely of which you cannot possibly understand. 

I look forward to your response. 

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Nokes