SERVICES FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED SHOULD BE REINSTATED

5.59.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 24th Jan 2007

Leslie Coman, Liberal Democrats activist, has received further information from Christchurch Borough Council, that the concessionary bus scheme benefits for those with visual impairment is the same as that provided to residents over 60 years of age.

People with visual impairment used to receive free travel at all times, now they are subject to the same restrictions that are imposed on the over 60s scheme.

The Conservative Councillors on Christchurch Borough Council appeared unaware of the situation concerning services for people with visual impairment when the matter was raised with them last December.

Disabled people experience lower incomes due to their lack of employment opportunities and according to the Government's Disability in Great Britain report, the incomes of disabled adults are 20 to 30 per cent lower than those of non-disabled people (these figures included income from disability benefits).

According to a report issued in December 2006 by the New Policy Institute (funded by Joseph Rowntree), 30 per cent of disabled adults of working age live on 60 per cent of average income levels.

Leslie Coman is concerned about the impact of the change to a 9.30am start for the concessionary bus service has had on residents over 60. "Just because you are over 60 does not mean you don't have to be somewhere before 9.30am. People have voluntary jobs, hospital or doctors appointments which require them to travel before the 9.30am threshold," said Leslie.

She has also raised with the Council, the further disadvantage experienced by people with visual impairment.

"Back in December 2005, Christchurch Borough Council saw no problem with the funding it received from the Government to introduce the concessionary bus service. It it thought that the new service could not be met using the additional cash that the government provided to the Council, then it should have said so at the time. The reason it didn't was that the Conservative-led Council failed to properly estimate the cost of introducing this service," said Leslie.

"I have written to the Council to ask them to investigate the implications of reinstating the service for those with visual impairment and allow them to travel free at all times," said Leslie.