COUNCILS AND MP IN ROW OVER TRANSPORT
July 2, 2009 10:04 AM
A row has erupted over alternative transport for disabled people. North Devon MP Nick Harvey is at loggerheads with the leaders of North Devon Council and Devon County Council over the issue.
Mr Harvey pointed out that while both authorities offered free bus travel for the elderly they had failed to offer any alternative provision for those unable to use local bus services.
Des Brailey, leader of North Devon Council and John Hart, leader of the County Council, were outraged by the criticism. A joint statement pointed out that North Devon Council provided £20,000 a year to Go North Devon and the North Devon Ring and Ride services to help those who find it difficult to use public transport.
Devon County Council also supported 16 Ring and Ride schemes - six covering North Devon and Torridge - at an annual cost of around £300,000.
Cllr Brailey said: "We do everything we can to support the disabled and elderly in North Devon - free bus passes, free swimming, Ring and Ride, shopmobility. I see no 'shortcoming' in our public travel policies."
Cllr Hart added: "Both the County Council and North Devon Council do a great deal to support community transport.
"Devon County Council is well ahead of most rural authorities in addressing rural access needs."
The MP hit back: "(They) would do better to respond to what my disabled constituents are asking for, rather than dodging the issue and huffing and puffing in synthetic 'outrage.'
"The councillors are choosing to answer a quite different question from the one I asked.
"I did not say that there is no help with transport for disabled people; I stated they are failing to provide alternatives.
"Good practice in other local authorities is to offer a direct alternative to the free bus pass for those unable to use buses.
"I am asking them to do likewise and offer flexibility within the existing scheme to provide options - such as a taxi voucher."
This report appeared in the North Devon Journal, 2 July 2009
Also see:
NICK HARVEY HITS BACK AT COUNCIL LEADERS FOR "DODGING THE ISSUE" posted 26 June 2009
& LOCAL AUTHORITIES FAILING TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE DISABLED TRANSPORT SAYS MP posted 23 June 2009
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