AN MP’s campaign to fix broken escalators at a Cheshire retail park has finally received a response.
The escalators at Trident Retail Park, Runcorn, have been out of action for so long that they recently became the subject of an online petition.
Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury and Halton Lea councillor Kath Loftus created the petition to urge retail park owners to fix the escalators at the entrance.
Mr Amesbury initially contacted park owners Kennedy Wilson and managing agents Savills, but failed to receive a response from either.
Now, Mr Amesbury has shared an encouraging update about the situation.
He said that managing agent Savills has been in touch and has reassured him that repairs on both escalators are currently being progressed.
Savills has also expressed that it hopes the escalators will be back in action in ‘two or three weeks’ time’, and that new parts for the escalator have been ordered from overseas.
However, Mr Amesbury was frustrated that only one lift was working at the retail park on Friday.
Speaking before he received a response, He said: “It is absolutely ridiculous that we have had to start this petition, as you would imagine the owners would want to create the right impression at their retail park.
“But access is more difficult than it should be to the adjoining Shopping City for stores and coffee shops, as well as public transport, plus key services like the NHS health hub, Job Centre and CAB.”
More than 760 people signed the petition, reflecting the outrage that the escalators had been out of order for several months and that the lifts were reportedly faulty.
Cllr Loftus also said: “Clearly, some elderly customers, disabled people and parents with pushchairs cannot manage the stairs, and from what I gather, the lifts are extremely busy and are not always working.
“I have been contacted online and other people have spoken to me in Shopping City.
“Come on Kennedy Wilson – people with mobility issues and disabilities are fed up with feeling like second-class citizens.
“You must surely be embarrassed at this situation. Please do the right thing by your customers and get this sorted as soon as possible.”
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