METROLINK has banned mobility scooters from its trams after a man fell onto the tracks at Besses o’th’ Barn station.

The man fell off the platform as he tried to turn the vehicle and had to be rescued from the tracks.

By-laws banning the use of mobility scooters on the tram system have always stood — but they are now being actively enforced by Metrolink to prevent similar incidents.

While trams are designed to accommodate wheelchairs, mobility scooters have not been permitted since the network opened in 1992. Metrolink say this is because scooters come in a variety of sizes and weights, can potentially tip over while on board, and are difficult to manoeuvre because they do not turn on their own axis.They say they cannot risk another accident.

But Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South, believes the ban is “health and safety gone mad”.

He said: “This is an appalling decision by the transport authority and Metrolink.

“They claim that there are health and safety concerns, but what about the basic right of local people to access public transport that we all help to fund?

“It is utterly incomprehensible to me that Metrolink staff are forcibly stopping disabled people from travelling.”

Mr Lewis has received letters from several local people complaining about the ban, including Unsworth resident Ruth Fryman.

She said: “I’m absolutely furious at this decision, which robs me of my independence. My quality of life depends on my ability to use Metrolink.

“This outrageous decision will affect thousands of people across Greater Manchester who are in the same position as myself.”