Councillor Nigel Britter

The Tory leadership of Gloucestershire County Council has refused to take action over buses throughout the County which are inaccessible to some elderly people and to those with disabilities.  Liberal Democrats on the County Council called upon the Tory cabinet to look into addressing the issue at Wednesday’s meeting of full council, but the cabinet member bluntly refused. 

Cllr Bill Whelan, Liberal Democrat member for Churchdown St John’s, said: “Providing concessionary bus fares for the elderly is a joke when so many of the buses can’t be accessed by those who hold bus passes.  These people are vulnerable members of our community who depend upon the buses for their independence.  We need to improve access. 

“I requested that the cabinet conduct a review of all the bus routes in Gloucestershire to find out how many of them provide low floor vehicles, and enter talks with service providers who are failing to meet this need.  The cabinet refused even to look into the specific issue of the 97, 98 and 06 bus routes which are known to provide insufficient access for the elderly and disabled.  Frankly, I am appalled.  Why won’t the cabinet spare the time to look into this issue?” Following his appeal at yesterday’s council meeting, Cllr Whelan presented the cabinet with a petition calling for action to improve access to buses.  The petition was signed by over 2,370 people. 

Cllr Dr John Cordwell, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Planning and Transport, said: “This Tory administration was elected on a promise to support elderly people to live independently in their own homes.  Yesterday, they broke their promise by turning a blind eye to the transport difficulties of the elderly and disabled who live in the community.  They could have looked into improving demands for disabled access in the Council’s contracts with bus companies.  They could have looked into negotiating with the bus companies who are able to make a difference.  Instead they have chosen to do nothing.”