MP looks at life in a wheelchair (From Oxford Mail)

At that point, the "cycle lane" looks wider than the pavement.

Widening and improving pavements for wheelchair users benefits everyone.

Only the OM would try and spin a tory MP as being concerned about mobility when you consider the sheer scale of attacks his Govt has landed on the disabled. OM at times is a shameless mouthpiece for govt propaganda and rarely offers an opposing perspective of the devastating cuts pushed by this appalling vindictive shower.

adlibber wrote:
Only the OM would try and spin a tory MP as being concerned about mobility when you consider the sheer scale of attacks his Govt has landed on the disabled. OM at times is a shameless mouthpiece for govt propaganda and rarely offers an opposing perspective of the devastating cuts pushed by this appalling vindictive shower.

Absolutely spot on adlibber.

It makes me want to vomit to see Tory MPs in stunts like this, or Cameron lording it at the Paralympics, when their government is treating people with disabilities like dirt. Disgraceful.

adlibber wrote:
Only the OM would try and spin a tory MP as being concerned about mobility when you consider the sheer scale of attacks his Govt has landed on the disabled. OM at times is a shameless mouthpiece for govt propaganda and rarely offers an opposing perspective of the devastating cuts pushed by this appalling vindictive shower.

Absolutely spot on adlibber.

It makes me want to vomit to see Tory MPs in stunts like this, or Cameron lording it at the Paralympics, when their government is treating people with disabilities like dirt. Disgraceful.

This govt attacks people who cant fight back, disabled & oaps. They must be the most hated lot in history

And not to mention when people using wheelchairs and walking frames have to compete with the ever-groaning numbers of 'baby buggies' and their parents, who seem to think they have 'priority' on buses - especially in and around Oxford. Whilst Oxford bus has recently improved wheelchair and disabled provision on its fleet of buses, other Operators seem less concerned, and on routes to some of the larger housing estates in Oxford it seems normal to find at least two unfolded buggies (and quite often more) hogging space for the disabled and the elderly - not to mention school kids who seem to find it inconvenient to go upstairs on the increasing number of double-deckers now in operation in Oxford. That said, I saw a couple of rather 'noisy' school children offer their bus seats to a man with a guide dog the other week - which proves that at least some youngsters still care about other people in their communities.

Myron Blatz wrote:
And not to mention when people using wheelchairs and walking frames have to compete with the ever-groaning numbers of 'baby buggies' and their parents, who seem to think they have 'priority' on buses - especially in and around Oxford. Whilst Oxford bus has recently improved wheelchair and disabled provision on its fleet of buses, other Operators seem less concerned, and on routes to some of the larger housing estates in Oxford it seems normal to find at least two unfolded buggies (and quite often more) hogging space for the disabled and the elderly - not to mention school kids who seem to find it inconvenient to go upstairs on the increasing number of double-deckers now in operation in Oxford. That said, I saw a couple of rather 'noisy' school children offer their bus seats to a man with a guide dog the other week - which proves that at least some youngsters still care about other people in their communities.

I've seen unfolded buggies on the bus that stops at the Children's Hospital at the JR and the Northway Council Estate - Some of the children look so weak and vulnerable. Is that the kind of space-hogging you mean?

Andrew:Oxford wrote:

Myron Blatz wrote:
And not to mention when people using wheelchairs and walking frames have to compete with the ever-groaning numbers of 'baby buggies' and their parents, who seem to think they have 'priority' on buses - especially in and around Oxford. Whilst Oxford bus has recently improved wheelchair and disabled provision on its fleet of buses, other Operators seem less concerned, and on routes to some of the larger housing estates in Oxford it seems normal to find at least two unfolded buggies (and quite often more) hogging space for the disabled and the elderly - not to mention school kids who seem to find it inconvenient to go upstairs on the increasing number of double-deckers now in operation in Oxford. That said, I saw a couple of rather 'noisy' school children offer their bus seats to a man with a guide dog the other week - which proves that at least some youngsters still care about other people in their communities.

I've seen unfolded buggies on the bus that stops at the Children's Hospital at the JR and the Northway Council Estate - Some of the children look so weak and vulnerable. Is that the kind of space-hogging you mean?

Indeed. Any small child is vulnerable on a bus, there's nothing to stop them flying off the seats and down the aisles when it stops suddenly, they don't have the strength to hold on. They are far safer strapped into a buggy. I speak as someone with both a wheelchair and a buggy in the family. Both need consideration and accommodation.

The authorities have known about these problems for so many years/decades, yet have done little or nothing.

We now have a constituency MP highlighting the problem, so will the authorities now discuss the matter on a political basis rather than just get on with the job. Guess they have had a quote for repairing each problem rather than a job lot with a bulk discount, choosing a big firm rather than a small one who just gets the job done right first time without all the red tape such as pile high risk assessment, whatever hot air that goes on behind closed doors.

Maybe we need more Andrew Mitchells if they make things happen!