A PETITION calling for the return of a direct link between Renfrew and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Govan has been backed by councillors.
Elaine McCrindle appeared with elderly mum Helen at Monday’s Petitions Board after gathering almost 600 signatures protesting McGill’s decision to terminate its service 21 at Braehead.
This means that people who are ill and those with mobility issues face having to take two buses to attend hospital appointments.
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Elaine told the board: “It’s had quite a big impact. The distance of the route has been cut and it’s no longer going direct to Govan. It terminates at Braehead now.
“The likes of my mum, who walks with a stick, now has to take two buses to get to the QEUH.
“There’s a lot of people attending the hospital who have sticks or zimmer frames.
Councillor Jennifer Adam-McGregor asked that the appeal was investigated
“For the route to go back to travelling to the hospital would be a great help.”
The service change has been the subject of debate since it was initiated, with a meeting held in protest at Arkleston and Newmains Community Centre in May.
Renfrew North and Braehead Councillor Lisa Marie-Hughes said: “Having a disability myself, I know having to contemplate another stop is difficult.
“I understand the meeting at the community centre was so well attended it was standing room only. I fully support the petition.”
Councillor Andy Steel added: “It’s an excellent petition that makes a lot of valid points.”
A number of bus services have been cut in the area
Councillor Jennifer Adam-McGregor, convener of the Petitions Board, put forward a motion which asked that Ms McCrindle’s appeal is referred to the relevant director for investigation, with the recommendation they write to McGill’s and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.
However, Councillor Jim Sharkey claimed the only way to see progress on the issue was to ask McGill’s managing director Ralph Roberts to “explain himself” at the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board.
He said: “I don’t think going round the houses is the right way to go about it.
“I think we have a responsibility to go directly to the source of the problem rather than kick it into the long grass, which would be the effect of the motion.
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“Letters are how bureaucrats hide behind things. Let’s go and get the bureaucrats behind this thing.”
Councillor Sharkey’s demands were knocked back, however, as seven of the nine elected members voted in favour of Councillor Adam-McGregor’s motion.
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