Judicial review of Salford City Council transport cut granted

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-29148666

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A disabled man has won a judicial review of Salford City Council's decision to cut subsidised transport for 200 adults with disabilities.

Michael Robson, from Swinton, has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and uses the council's wheelchair-adapted bus to access day centres for "vital support".

Last month, the council wanted to stop the transport to save £600,000 a year.

Manchester High Court ruled the council must continue subsidising residents ahead of the review in October.

Mr Robson's law firm raised concerns about whether "proper assessments were carried out... and if a lawful consultation was undertaken" by the council to the court.

Social services cuts

Mathieu Culverhouse, from Irwin Mitchell, said: "The proposed cuts to transport services [are] set to leave our client and a huge number of other people with no suitable means to access the care and support they need.

"We are determined to ensure that our client can continue to benefit from the services he requires."

Mr Robson attends day centres in Stockport, Greater Manchester and Salford for "vital support", the law firm said.

In July, the council announced the transport service would be withdrawn from the end of August as part of £2.6m of cuts to social services that needed to be made this year.

A council spokeswoman said the review would give "both sides a chance to have their say in court".

"Where people can make alternative arrangements we have agreed they will do so.

"Where they have not made alternative arrangements we will continue to provide transport and continue discussions with them," she said.