Can’t shops back a bus that offers way out of isolation?

Published: 25 March, 2011

• ENSURING better use of resources is one of my aims for my year as an Older People’s Champion. The under-use of the 812 bus was the main inspiration for this (Elderly will miss the bus as cash for their lifeline service is axed, March 18). 

The route, timetable and access conditions for the 812 have never been properly publicised, so few people who might benefit have the chance. No wonder it is facing extinction.

One of my neighbours who relies on the 812 told me he had seen a Peel Centre vehicle dropping off someone in his street, suggesting some duplication of service as well. 

If Islington Council can’t underwrite the service, might it be possible to get the supermarkets and Chapel Market traders to help sponsor the bus route, which brings people to and from the back streets of St Peter’s ward and Clerkenwell to the shops of Essex Road, New North Road and the Chapel Market area as well as City Road, the Peel Centre and Exmouth Market? 

Many people in St Peter’s live a brisk ten-minute walk for the fully mobile from the nearest regular bus routes or main shops.

If the 812 bus route were clearly marked and timetabled (perhaps by notices on lampposts) and fares, bus pass and eligibility information included, I’m sure local traders would benefit. 

From the point of view of residents, a properly signposted, accessible, publicised and reliable bus service is needed to avoid the problems of isolation and exclusion for less mobile people of all ages, whose inability to participate fully in local life would be a loss for the whole community.

VIRGINIA LOW
Islington Older People’s Champion 
Queen’s Head Street, N1

• YOUR article about Labour councillors’ decision to axe funding for the PlusBus for the elderly contained one important error.

Liberal Democrats have never called for all free school meals for primary pupils to be scrapped. 

In fact, in our alternative budget this year we proposed an extension of the government statutory scheme so more Islington primary-age children could benefit from free school meals.

What we have always opposed is Labour’s spendthrift free schools-meals-for-all policy. We oppose this because we believe that when the council is so hard-pressed for cash it cannot be right that we are paying millions of pounds for bankers’ and millionaires’ children to receive a free meal. This money could be better spent.

As regards the future of the PlusBus service, Liberal Democrats are in fact proposing that ruling Labour councillors scrap the council’s magazine, Islington Life. The money saved could then be used instead to save this bus service. It will be interesting to see which is more important to Labour councillors: spending council cash on propaganda or old people.

I hope Labour councillors make the right choice this time. They have the power to reverse this decision to cut the PlusBus, which is used by thousands of Islington pensioners. Will they now use it?

CLLR JOHN GILBERT
Lib Dem finance spokesman