Hinksey Park Councillors, Bob Price and Marie Tidball, were out today to protest the proposed suspension of the Chatham Road bus stop, situated outside the Nisa store on the Abingdon Road, for the week leading up to the opening of the Westgate Centre. The northbound stop is in the hub of the local community, servicing the local Tesco and Nisa stores as well as a whole host of community facilities including St Luke’s and South Oxford Baptist Church.

Councillor Tidball, who herself has a mobility impairment, said:

‘The suspension of this essential stop would be devastating for elderly residents and those with accessibility needs. Like many local residents, I use this stop on a daily basis.

This proposal will leave these residents cut off from accessing the City centre and train station as they would be forced to walk almost 400m to the nearest stop.’

The City Executive Board Member for Young People, Schools and Public Health continued:

‘It shows a real lack of understanding that the County have overlooked the fact that this stop services Ability Matters -; which provides mobility equipment for people with disabilities living in Oxford.

I’m outraged by the plans. With the days getting shorter this will also cause real problems for young people who catch the bus to get to Cheney and Cherwell schools too. The County must reverse this suspension.’

City Council Leader, Bob Price said:

‘With the new Westgate opening, we need more not less to be done by the County to encourage bus use into the City. I have already written to them to ask for the plans to be shelved and we will continue to put pressure on them until they do so.’