NFDC leader Cllr Jill Clearly makes pledge to raise new restrictions on disabled bus passes with Hampshire County Council leader Cllr Nick Adams-King

THE effect on Forest residents of new restrictions on disabled bus passes will be raised with the county council, NFDC’s leader has pledged.

Hampshire County Council last month axed free travel for disabled people before 9.30am and after 11pm on weekdays, and thousands of the most vulnerable residents also lost their companion passes which allowed a volunteer to travel with them.

Campaigners Waterside Changemakers were unsuccessful in a final attempt to get council leaders to reconsider their decision in late March.

Liberal Democrat councillor Malcolm Wade raised the subject at a New Forest District Council cabinet meeting. During debate on a government Rural England Prosperity Fund allocation, Cllr Wade said acknowledgement of HCC’s decision on disabled bus passes was missing from the officer report.

The Dibden and Dibden Purlieu ward member said some disabled residents could no longer get to work for 9am on the bus.

Cllr Wade said: “It would be good if this council considered with something like this, because this is about rural prosperity and prosperity of individuals, something to try and mitigate it as part of councils working together.

“In the rural areas of our district it will affect certain people. I wanted to make the case for this council considering putting some support so you can apply for a grant to cover that cost.”

Conservative NFDC leader Cllr Jill Cleary said the government funding being discussed could only be used for capital investments.

However, she offered to speak directly with Hampshire County Council Conservative leader Cllr Nick Adams-King to ask him to reconsider the bus pass decision or see if he could help in some way.

Cllr Wade said: “As the leader of the council, I would truly welcome that suggestion.

“I’m not sure how successful you will be but I would certainly welcome it because it’s the right thing to do.”

Hardley, Holbury and North Blackfield Conservative councillor Allan Glass was pleased the disabled bus pass issue had been raised.

“I’m lucky, I’ve got a car, but I can’t walk more than about 60 yards,” Cllr Glass said.

“If I was still of working age, this would prohibit me from getting a job, so I think that’s a very good thing. I support it wholeheartedly.”