Community Members Requiring Service Have Week To Register Interest
Lawyers representing a disabled man in a legal battle to prevent vital transport services being cut in Salford have welcomed the decision to keep an interim service in place while debate about its future continues, but warned that anyone needing to use it must register their interest as soon as possible.
Irwin Mitchell has applied for a judicial review to be held into the decision made last month which would see a wheelchair-adapted bus service operated by Salford City Council withdrawn from August 29th, on behalf of their client Michael Robson who relies on the service to attend a day centre two days a week.
Now, following a second hearing in relation to the case at the High Court in Manchester yesterday (September 4th), Salford City Council has confirmed it will continue to offer an interim transport service to the community while the legal challenge is considered.
However, Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Public Law team acting on the case have warned community members who require the service that they have less than a week to register their interest with the council – with requests being accepted until 4pm on September 11th.
Expert Opinion
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.
"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.
"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).
"We’re delighted to have helped our clients secure this interim support and would urge anyone who relies on these services to contact the council as soon as possible to ensure they have appealed to have the service reinstated." Mathieu Culverhouse - Partner
Any appeals to benefit from the interim transport service 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.