Patricia Okwara and Cllr Martin Newton on Coppetts Road.
Muswell Hill pensioner ‘left trapped’ by ‘fail and no ride’ bus service
by Flora Drury
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
4:25 PM
A Muswell Hill pensioner says she has been left trapped in her home because her local ‘hail and ride’ bus service will not stop near her home anymore.
Patricia Okwara, who struggles to walk after a broken ankle left her with metal pins in her leg, “burst out crying” after she was informed that the 234’s ‘hail and ride’ section would no longer be stopping to pick her up from the part of Coppetts Road closest to her home.
The 76-year-old, along with other pensioners and disabled people living in the area, is now forced to struggle further down Coppetts Road or to Trott Road before bus drivers will pick them up.
Ms Okwara now hopes Haringey Council will move her to a new home where she will be able to access public transport more easily.
She said: “I cannot walk this distance. There is no bus stop for us. It is very important to me.”
Fortis Green councillor Martin Newton, who has taken up the case of Gilson Place and Coppetts Road residents, added: “It is not acceptable for older residents like Patricia to have to struggle to get to a place where the bus likes to stop. There is no reason why they should not stop or drop off where residents ask.
“This is meant to be ‘hail and ride’, yet residents are getting a service that is ‘fail and no ride’.
“The lack of accessibility for older and mobility-impaired residents means that Transport for London (TfL) is failing residents with this inconsiderate service.
“The council has identified places where the 234 bus can stop, yet TfL have not responded on when they will take action.”
Len Ray, London Buses area manager for Enfield and Haringey, said he was aware of the problems and the company was in discussions to install fixed bus stops along the route to alleviate the issue.
He added: “While we appreciate this may be frustrating for local residents, our bus drivers must only set down and pick up passengers where it is safe to do so.”
More news
- Photo gallery: Thousands flock to Fair in the Square in Highgate as disco-dancing sheep take to stage
- Muswell Hill men recognised for services to the community in Queen’s birthday honours
- Crouch End pub hauled before licensing after street brawl
- Landmarks ‘sold’ to highest bidder in land grab protests
- Host of Haringey residents recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list
- Muswell Hill mum jailed for part in prison smuggling conspiracy
- Haringey elderly put best feet forward for Falls Awareness Week
- Alexander Litvinenko death: Ruling over public inquiry due in July
- Obituary: Distinguished Highgate teacher and magistrate Enid Evans dies after a long illness
- Fireworks display could return to Ally Pally
- What to expect from Fair In The Square 2013 in Highgate this weekend
- Concerns over plans for Hornsey Depot
- Council reneges on promise to repair 250 council houses in Highgate and Crouch End
- Haringey shoppers quizzed on food hygiene
- Royal visitor tours Muswell Hill garden
- Python found lurking by ladies swimming ponds on Hampstead Heath
- ‘Unbelievable’: Crouch End dad suffered double cardiac arrest as he picked up newborn son - but lived to tell the tale
- Former Ofsted chief inspector to lead drive to improve Haringey’s schools
- Man who died in Archway Bridge plunge is named
- Fire at Muswell Hill Islamic centre was arson, police confirm
- My Crouch End: Clare Richmond
- Haringey ‘worse than average’ for premature deaths
- GALLERY: Crouch End Festival gets off to an “amazing” start
- Views sought on redevelopment of Crouch End’s Park Road Leisure Centre
- Grave of royal photographer Francis Bedford found at Highgate Cemetery
-
Use our Wedding site to help you plan your big day! - At WeddingSite we know how much you have to organise for your wedding day, that's why we have designed a set of FREE, simple-to-use tools to make the planning process easy & hassle-free. FIND OUT MORE
-
Find a date using our online dating and friend finder - You can meet new friends, find romance or simply meet up online with people sharing similar interests and hobbies. FIND OUT MORE
-
Find a local business using our online directory search - Need a plumber? Or a florist? Or anything else? Search our business directory to find Hornsey businesses in just a few seconds. FIND OUT MORE
-
Family notices from the Broadway, with readers' tributes - In memoriam, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, best wishes & special days. FIND OUT MORE
Celebrity / Showbiz See all
Brick Lane Comedy Festival cancelled after opposition from community groups
A comedy festival in east London due to feature acts including Al Murray, Alan Davies and Ed Byrne has been cancelled because of “heavy opposition from local community groups”.
0 comments