I need to sort out a squeak on the clutch pedal - Haynes tells me I need to take the steering wheel off but I'm sure that doesn't need to be done; apart from anything else I don't want to remove the damn whoopee cushion!

After removing the panel giving access to the fuses and relays there seem to be six screws to remove a metal strip, but it doesn't seem to come off. Tried a squirt of WD40 but no good.
Any ideas? It's a ZX 1.9D Dimension.
Still need a couple of grab handles.