Star date: 4th September 2014

TRANSPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SAVED FOR TIME BEING – BUT NEED THE SALFORD 94 TO COME FORWARD

At a hearing at Manchester Civil Justice Centre today, families claimed a victory as Salford Council was forced to state in open court that it will retain transport services for adults with disabilities until the hearing for a judicial review into its cuts.

Now, 94 families who were recently receiving help with transport from the Council need to come forward and appeal by next week to get their service reinstated, as Salford Council wouldn't reveal their names and contact details. Meanwhile, the Ring and Ride service that Salford Council is urging families to use as an `alternative' is also about to be cut.

Full details here...

"This is excellent news and ensures that disabled people in and around Salford will not miss out on vital support while the decision regarding cutting the service is in the process of being challenged – it is only right they are not left in the lurch" Mathieu Culverhouse from law firm Irwin Mitchell

Today, a legal team from Irwin Mitchell, representing Michael Robson, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, forced Salford Council to state in the High Court that it would continue its transport service for people with special needs so that they can get to day centres and respite homes.

The lawyers, on behalf of Michael, are challenging, by way of a judicial review, the decision by Salford Council to cut the specialist Passenger Transport Unit . Whether the judge grants permission for the review to go ahead will be made next Wednesday with a High Court date set for early October. Today's hearing aimed to guarantee that in the meantime Salford Council would ensure that the Transport Unit and the service remains intact, and that people with special needs can get to their day centres.

Families had previously told the Salford Star that they had difficulty contacting the Council to arrange transport after a halt was put on its cuts plans last week. In court today there was ironic laughter when Salford Council's barrister said "Our position is that until this morning we didn't think there were problems with this..."

Outside the court, Elaine Barrett, mother of Jennifer, told the Star that the Council rang last Friday telling her that the transport had been taken off, only to tell her on Monday that it was back on again.

"I'm thrilled" she said "But I'm really, really angry with the Council. It's difficult to explain but I've got to fight for Jennifer, I think it's her right and all the other people who are coming behind her who are at school at the moment, you've got to fight for them to get transport. It's alright them saying `You can make alternative arrangements' but it's not always that easy (*). I like the idea of escorts and drivers, and they want to make all of them unemployed, so I'm just angry."

Now the transport service will remain intact until a decision is made by the courts relating to Salford Council's actions.

"The key outcome from today's hearing is that the Council has agreed to continue to provide transport services to day centres for vulnerable members of the community who need it, while the wider discussion and debate regarding the future of the service continues" says Mathieu Culverhouse from law firm Irwin Mitchell

"This is excellent news and ensures that disabled people in and around Salford will not miss out on vital support while the decision regarding cutting the service is in the process of being challenged - it is only right they are not left in the lurch" he adds "However, anyone wishing to have the transport service reinstated needs to send an appeal to the council outlining why they did not appeal previously and why alternative arrangements are unsuitable – with the key issue being that the deadline for requests is 4pm next Thursday, September 11th."

Now the race is on to find the 94 families that have had their transport stopped recently. They can appeal against the decision and get transport reinstated within 48 hours, until the further hearings take place. Salford Council refused to provide their names to either the solicitors acting for Michael Robson, or an independent trade union representative who offered to contact them.

Noreen Bailey, who has campaigned for the transport to be retained, acknowledged the success of today's hearing but added "I feel sorry for the ones who are going to be left out, we've got to find the 94 – and we'll be having a good try."

Paul Gerrard from Salford Against The Cuts, explained "It is a victory, Salford Council has had to continue to provide this service, and we hope that a good and reasonable judge will give us the result we want."

Meanwhile Michael Robson, who is bringing the case, declared that he was "pleased"...

Any appeals need to be sent in writing either by email to philip.marsland@salford.gov.uk or by post to St George's Resource Centre, Cromwell Road, Salford M6 6SB and received by Mr Marsland no later than 4pm on Thursday 11 September 2014.

The form for people to appeal is included in the photo section above which can be printed out. Alternatively you can email info@salfordstar.com and we'll send you the Word doc.

* One of the `alternative' forms of transport that Salford Council is urging adults with special needs to use is Ring and Ride. This evening, the Salford Star received a notification from Councillor Roger Jones, Assistant Mayor for Transport, stating that the service is about to be cut...

"Further cuts are being considered for 2015/16 including reducing the maximum trip to 5 miles; removal of the Saturday and/or Sunday service; increasing fares; reducing the evening service to 7pm; and reducing the number of drivers and vehicles."

* For a full background on the case see previous Salford Star articles - click here and click here

UPDATE: 5th September 2014 - Race Is On To Find The Salford 94! click here