MOBILITY... DISABLED IN DORSET FIGHT TO KEEP TAXI TOKENS
Disabled Christchurch residents, fearful they could lose their inde- pendence, have started a campaign against the possibility of losing vital trans- portation. From April 1, the responsibility of fund- ing the concessionary travel scheme will pass from the local borough and district councils to Dorset County Council. A recent consultation on the potential with- drawal of certain aspects of the scheme has prompted resi- dents at Bure House to start a campaign to save their taxi tokens. Christchurch borough councillors Cllr Josephine Spencer, elderly people’s champion Cllr Denise
Jones, ward council- lors Fred Neale and Colin Bungey,
and
county and borough councillor David Jones all met with res- idents to pledge their support to the cam- paign.
Cllr David Jones told the Bournemouth Echo: “Dorset County Council are still in the position of having to find £54 million worth of savings in the next four years.
“But there are savings and there are savings. One of the things that I will say to people is, if you fight you never know you might actu- ally win.
“But if you don’t fight, you will lose.”
Cllr Denise Jones said: “I think many people do not realise this
could happen, and it may come as a shock to them. I can see it will reduce the quality of life for many of all ages, not just elderly people. It is the fact that for many this is their window on the world.
“Many buses only take one wheelchair and they are very difficult to travel on.” Cllr Peter Finney, Dorset County Council cabinet member for transport, said: “We are working very closely with our bor- ough and district council partners to make the transition as smooth as possible. We will be doing our very best to make sure that people experi- ence as little hardship as possible.”
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LIFELINE FOR FREE AYLESBURY DISABLED TAXI SCHEME
A free taxi scheme for severely disabled peo- ple could be saved, district council officials revealed last month. Worried users had feared that taxi tokens, which entitle holders to £85 of free cab rides each year, would be
scrapped when County Hall became responsi- ble for it this year. But Aylesbury Vale District Council lawyers are in talks with county council bosses about keeping the scheme running. Around 450 people
will benefit, at a cost of £33,400. Paul Waddingham, 65, who is paralysed below his waist, told the Bucks Herald: “Although I have my own car, I rely on the taxi tokens if I have an appointment and can’t drive.
LINCOLN TOKENS GAVE ME INDEPENDENCE
A 90 year-old woman fears she will lose her independence when taxi tokens are scrapped from April 1 to plug an £800,000 budget shortfall. Wheelchair user Mar- garet Woods is among 5,500 existing recipi- ents of the tokens that are to lose the benefit. Free bus travel for 135,000 over-60s and
disabled people will continue. Mrs Woods, from Lin- coln, suggests that issuing bus passes to people aged 65 and over would free up cash for taxi tokens. She told the Lincoln Target: “At the moment, I can get out in my wheelchair by using a special taxi. My worry is I won’t be
able to afford it if I no longer get the tokens.” Chris Briggs, head of transportation at Lin- colnshire County Council, said: “Unfor- tunately, our financial position means we’re not able to offer some of the discretionary elements that a few of the district councils offered previously, such as taxi tokens.”
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