Access to public transport

Much is being made by both national and local government about the need to enable those either elderly or with disabilities, to have adequate access to public transport. Unfortunately, in Silverton, this is far from the case. The Stagecoach company which now has a monopoly of Bus services after aquiring the independant operator, Cooks coachs are continuing to run Minibuses wioth high steps making access difficult for many elderly or disabled. Access is also impossible for wheelchairs and for young parents with buggies which creates serious problems for those sections of the community with the greatest need for an adequate public transport system.

Compare and contrast the situation in Silverton and that in the Scottish town of Ayr where I used to live. There Stagecoach run low loader buses on all the main routes and the former administration on South Ayrshire council undertook a major programme designed to raise the levels of pavements at bus stops to the level of the bus platforms in order to allow Wheelchairs, Buggies and Shopping trolleys unfettered access.

Given that communities like Silverton are almost bound to expand in the coming years and are certain to contain a higher percentage of elderly or disabled people then is currently the case and given that Governments of all political persuasions at both local and national levels are actively campaigning to reduce car use, surely it is time that serious consideration was given to ensuring that everyone has adequate access to the public transport system. Perhaps the Parish council should take this up as part of their 'we live here' strategy.