Why Sheffield council won't allow cancer charity vehicles in bus lanes - as "no flexibility" claim made
"I'm disappointed that no flexibility has been shown when there is clear public support for this change - which in itself would cost nothing”
The chair of Sheffield council’s transport committee has said that vehicles which transport cancer patients to hospital do not apply to existing exemptions for the city’s bus gates - in a decision that has been criticised for showing “no flexibility.”
Councillor Alexi Dimond explained the current situation affecting Weston Park Cancer Charity and Firefly vehicles during a full council meeting on Wednesday, November 4.
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He was questioned by Stannington ward councillor Dr Will Sapwell about how long it would take to give the charities bus gate access, after he launched a campaign to help them provide better transport to cancer patients seeking treatment.
In response to his questions, Green Coun Dimmond said: “The Firefly vehicles don’t meet the current criteria.
“Until parking services have spoken to Weston Park, we cannot confirm what the time scale might be.”
It was explained that as Firefly do not have any vehicles with 10 seats or more, or have a formal arrangement with the NHS, they do not meet council policy for bus gate access.
Council services have meanwhile not been able to make contact with Weston Park.
Coun Sapwell, who represents the Liberal Democrats, said after the meeting that he will not stop fighting for these changes.
"I'm disappointed that no flexibility has been shown when there is clear public support for this change - which in itself would cost nothing,” he added.
“Whilst the council leadership is in disarray, I'm keen to keep plugging away on things that really make a difference for people in Sheffield and South Yorkshire."