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.” 

On 5 November 2007 Cheltenham Borough Council, in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council, will take over the enforcement of parking restrictions in
Cheltenham. The Council currently has responsibility for off street parking enforcement but from 5 November will also have responsibility for on-street parking enforcement, currently provided by the police authority.  This means that from that date parking enforcement in
Cheltenham becomes a civil rather than a criminal matter. The change from 5 November 2007 relates only to responsibility for parking enforcement and does not, at the moment, alter any of the existing parking restrictions. There will, however, be a greater number of Parking Attendants patrolling the streets and Council operated car parks to enforce existing regulations which aim to:    

• Improve traffic flow by controlling the parking of vehicles on streets
• Reduce pollution by improving traffic flow.  
•  Improve road safety through enforcement of illegally and dangerously parked vehicles.
•  Improve access for emergency vehicles and public transport by reducing illegal parking obstruction. 
• Gloucestershire County Council is taking the lead on communications. A poster and leaflet campaign is scheduled

The project to replace and upgrade the worn-out carriageway on the A40 has now started with Phase 1 Arle Court Roundabout to Benhall Roundabout being completed in September. Phase 2 Benhall Roundabout to Lansdown Road, will be constructed in conjunction with the Bus Lane widening, commencing18th January for completion by 9^th May. The Bus Lane widening itself will not require lane closures. Works will be suspended between 10^th and 16^th March for the Cheltenham Festival. The resurfacing works will be carried out at weekends and will require alternate lane closures. Outbound traffic flows will be maintained but inbound traffic will be diverted onto Tewkesbury Road at Kingsditch roundabout.