Metrolink line blocked by protesters who parked six scaffolding lorries on track at S
Metrolink line blocked by protesters who parked six scaffolding lorries on track at Salford QuaysNovember 25, 2011
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The lorries were moved by 11am.
Tram commuters faced rush-hour chaos this morning after protesters parked six wagons across a Metrolink line.
Services on the Eccles line were suspended when the HGVs were parked across both lines near to Anchorage station in Salford Quays.
It is believed disgruntled workers at a local scaffolding company took the action in protest at 40 plus colleagues who may be laid off.
The protest began at around 7.53am and police had arranged for the lorries to be moved by 11am.
Police and Metrolink officials were at the scene.
A spokesman for Metrolink said; “Metrolink sincerely apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.”'.
Trams were running between Eccles as far as MediaCity as the obstruction did not affect this section of the line.
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Clucking Bells, Salford (25/11/2011 at 09:17)
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Like (8)
ReportSo they stop people from getting to THEIR OWN JOBS with this protest for publicity? The Company they are striking against are not going to care if people can not get to work at other companies not related to them!
Bob A (25/11/2011 at 13:47)
Like (1)
ReportI don't know why people think disrupting people that have nothing to do with their issue will garner any sympathy.
Take the public sector strikes next week. They will incovenience me massively so I am not supportive of them one bit. All I am trying to do is get to work to pay my taxes which pays their wages but they are stopping me from flying back from France next wednesday.
A certain British airline went on strike last year a week before my holiday so it was cancelled. I got a refund after 11 weeks, got insurance payouts on most of the hotels but had my holiday scuppered. I fly 8 times a month with work and go long haul quite often but since that strike they haven't seen a single penny from me. Not a bean.
Why? Well why should my hard earned go on wages to cabin crew who scuppered my holiday and left me out of pocket a few months.
They lost out in the end and I am sure I am not the only one. The net result is less people fly with them and they lose their jobs (plus the free flights for their families which is one of the issues they had).
Am now keeping cabin crew in Dubai in a job instead.
woopdewoopdedoodlepoop, Levenshulme (25/11/2011 at 09:20)
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Like (5)
ReportWe should have got an undergound.
3 stars on that badge for no apparent reason, YOU have NEVER won the european cup so why ?, M40 (25/11/2011 at 09:44)
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Like (11)
ReportI have got a good idea !
As our mates will be losing their jobs lets disrupt the Metrolink and get a load more people late for work and thus in the s**t with their boss' !
The amount of braincells these people possess is astonishing !
Busy Lizzy, Manchester (25/11/2011 at 13:14)
Like (2)
ReportJust like those going on strike next Wednesday - especially forcing schools to close for the day. Being late is better than not being there at all - when parents who work are forced to stay at home
Savage Mandarin, Manchester (25/11/2011 at 09:51)
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Like (2)
ReportPlease identify the scaffolding firm, so that we may call them with messages of support.
See You Next Tuesday, Stalybridge (25/11/2011 at 10:04)
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Like (5)
ReportTheir protest has no substance because it's not affecting the scaffolding company one iota! The halfwits!
3 stars on that badge for no apparent reason, YOU have NEVER won the european cup so why ?, M40 (25/11/2011 at 10:22)
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Like (5)
ReportMr Moderator, if anybody attempts to post the name of the scaffolding firm in question can you please allow it to be seen !
We have a right to know !
Thank you.
WatcherZero (25/11/2011 at 12:47)
Like (0)
ReportGrace Scaffolding Limited, Salford. Went into Administration on the 11th, administrators let most of the employees go and are trying to find a buyer for the assets.
benford (25/11/2011 at 10:29)
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Like (9)
ReportI work close to the tram stop where this happened.
A few of us spoke to the drivers who blockaded the tram stop.
The protest is based on the fact that Metrolink allegedly owe a large amount of money to the scaffolding firm, for recent work done.
MUFC Salford,
Cheers Bar Manchester (25/11/2011 at 12:35)
Like (2)
ReportIs that cause of all of the scaffolding used when you install new track? Have a word with yourself and your "alleged" comments.
Let's stick to facts.
Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (25/11/2011 at 13:10)
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ReportMCFC So who puts up all the overhead cables and gantries, tall people?
Brooklands - Liberal do-gooder (25/11/2011 at 13:23)
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ReportMUFC Salford, I suppose Metrolink only own tracks as well, no buildings?
Do you have any of these "facts" to back your comments up with please?
AJ, a passively strong opinion, Manchester (25/11/2011 at 10:33)
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Like (2)
ReportArrest them and charge them under the terrorism act, then sack them rather lay them off under serious misconduct and finally make them watch back to back X-Factor
Bob A (25/11/2011 at 10:38)
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ReportIt is illegal to block rail lines and there was a law passed a few years ago about being illegal to inhibit infrastructure.
I predict some time in the slammer for these people.
It's just an address - it doesn't mean you're posh or a hippy., Chorlton (25/11/2011 at 12:19)
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ReportThey weren't blocking rail lines. They were blocking Manchester's half baked replacement.
essex (25/11/2011 at 10:41)
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Like (2)
ReportSack the protesters.
benford (25/11/2011 at 10:47)
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Like (4)
ReportI work on the Quays, close to the tram stop, and the allegation by the guys who did this - only an allegation - is that their company, which is facing job losses, is owed money by Metrolink.
And I won't be telling anyone the name of the company.
The Shark (The cashbox was empty) (25/11/2011 at 11:19)
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Like (2)
ReportSelfish and disrespectful behavour stopping other people from going to work, what comes around goes around.
Chough, Manchester (25/11/2011 at 11:21)
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Like (7)
ReportAs scaffolders, you'd think they could do something more constructive.
PW, Manchester (25/11/2011 at 12:17)
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ReportYou mean like whacking poles into windows? (just my experience)
Chough, Manchester (25/11/2011 at 12:46)
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ReportI'm sure it was inadvertent. Although I once had a near miss when a scaffolding pole fell from the roof of a building, through the window and onto a desk where someone would have been sitting if they hadn't been at lunch.
Perhaps parking 6 lorries on a tram line was a mistake too?
Sir Relic's Nemesis (25/11/2011 at 12:07)
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Like (1)
ReportThese drivers should take their grievances to their employer and have it out with them. It is indefensible to obstruct innocent bystanders who have nothing whatsoever to do with their dispute. The drivers have committed a blatant criminal act. Give each a hefty fine and a criminal record. If they don't pay up ...prison, where criminals like this belong. The public have sympathy with lawful protest, but not vindictive obstruction of innocent parties like this.
It's just an address - it doesn't mean you're posh or a hippy., Chorlton (25/11/2011 at 12:21)
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Like (2)
ReportIf it turns out that this company is owed money by Metrolink, I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised.
If it turns out the company is not owed money by Metrolink, reputation forces me to blame them anyway.
Down with Metro-stink!
SUE ROBINSON (25/11/2011 at 12:54)
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Like (1)
ReportDon't know what they think they've achieved by this, apart from annoying people and stopping many from getting to work on time. What difference will this make? If there's no money in the pot, you can't take any out.
semi literate simian (25/11/2011 at 13:17)
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Like (2)
ReportI see no difference between this foolish action and the equally foolish and misinformed public sector strikes coming up.
I wonder how many of the negative commentators who are now condemning these guys from trying to protect their whole livelihoods (without the support of a big union) will support the strike action next week which is going to have a significantly larger impact on the majority of the workforce which aims at protecting the taxpayer funded perks the likes of which a scaffolder could only dream of and benefit the more skilled public sector workers at the expense of the low skilled public sector workers and of course everyone else.
Thats the way it goes though and still the private sector gets acused of them and us mentallity.
Clucking Feather, (25/11/2011 at 13:51)
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Like (0)
ReportSomeone appears to have nicked one of their lorries.
Dawn Elliot (25/11/2011 at 13:59)
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Like (0)
ReportGrace scaffolding went into administration last week and started to trade under another name within the hour on the same day. I can understand the scaffolders frustrations but this is not the way to do it. If it is any consolation there are lots of local companies in need of good scaffolders.
