Conservative Councillors welcome Change in Disabled Bus Passes.

Lancashire County Council decision to fund the Word disabled bus pass so disabled people can use the buses before 9 -30 in the morning on a concessionary rate has been welcomed by Longridge Conservative councillors Ken Hind , Andrew Gridley and David Smith.

Ken Hind Chairman of Ribble Valley Conservatives commented

‘The government introduced a free concessionary travel scheme for pensioners which was agreed by all local authorities in Lancashire. However for some reason it included the disabled so that they could not travel on their existing concessionary travel pass before 9-30 in the morning at the concessionary rate of 50p.’

The Ribble Valley Council at the last council meeting ratified a decision made by the Finance and Policy Committee moved by Councillor Hind to look again at this policy

‘Our decision was based on the 79 disabled people in the Ribble Valley who have these disabled travel passes, many of whom were unable to travel to work or early hospital appointments using them. Worst hit were the blind and partially sighted who cannot use the mobility part of their disability allowance to travel by car. Our initial intention as a Council was to consider funding the Ribble Valley residents effected from our own resources, but we are delighted that the Lancashire County Council have responded to the pressure on a County wide basis. This was an unnecessary change in disabled travel concessions made by the government, now at least for Lancashire residents rectified. ’ Ken Hind added.

 Councillor Gridley noted , ‘we are extremely grateful to Marjory Jones a Longridge resident who brought this matter to our attention and the RNIB who both fought hard for this change of policy.’