Mayor says cancer charities stuck with “computer says no” response from Sheffield council on bus lane access
“I'm a big believer that when the computer says no, maybe we need to go and change the computer”
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has addressed concerns raised about a lack of flexibility in bus lane regulations in Sheffield.
He responded to concerns raised over cancer charity vehicles not being allowed to use Sheffield’s bus lanes without receiving a fine - despite an ongoing petition from sitting councillors.
For the past month, Liberal Democrat councillor Dr Will Sapwell has been campaigning to see Weston Park Cancer Charity and Firefly vehicles, which transport cancer patients to and from appointments, given access to Sheffield’s bus lanes to improve services for those going through one of the most difficult battles of their lives.
Access to bus lanes would prevent the vehicles getting stuck in traffic when patients have important medical appointments, the councillor says.
Despite receiving nearly 1,000 signatures, Dr Sapwell claims he has received little support from council leadership on the matter, who in their latest response said that Firefly vehicles don’t meet current criteria for bus lane access and that they have not been able to assess Weston Park’s fleet yet to check.
Speaking to The Star during his monthly Q&A, Mayor Coppard expressed his support for the initiative but explained that his office - the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) - do not directly handle bus lane rules, which is the responsibility of Sheffield City Council.
“My understanding is that because they don't have a contract with the NHS and because they haven't got a certain size of vehicle they're getting kind of a ‘computer says no’ answer,” the mayor added.
“I would like others to maybe look at that again. Maybe there is a way of helping us to get them in contact with the NHS where they can maybe then get that contract in place, or maybe kind of working with them in some different way.
“But look, they're clearly doing a good job, they're clearly trying to do the right thing and at the moment they're getting stuck.
“I'm always sort of a big believer that when the computer says no, maybe we need to go and then sort of change the computer.
“So, let's see if we can't try and find a way through that.”
He said he will raise it with the council again, adding: “Clearly when people are trying to do the right thing should be trying to support.”