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Council criticised in transport row
Community
A mother, whose teenage daughter suffers with the debilitating condition fibromyalgia, has hit out at the council after claiming the authority refused to pay transport costs to help her daughter get to college.
Mel Fisher, who lives in Great Denham, says she was “outraged” to find out she had to provide a doctor’s letter to Bedford Borough Council in order for it to cover the costs of taxis to and from the new Bedford College Sixth Form on Bromham Road.
Her daughter Coral, 17, suffers with a severe form of fibromyalgia, which affects her joints and limbs, causing her a lot of pain, and leaves her unable to walk long distances unaided.
She has been attending Bedford College since last year, but she was told that the council would not pay her transport fees without a doctor’s certificate as she lives less than three miles away the site.
Mel said: “I am really cross with them. Coral is a registered blue badge holder, so they know she’s disabled. I don’t understand why they now need a doctor’s letter. I have sent it to them, but it’s the principle of the matter to me, they’re saying they don’t believe us even though they were paying it last year.
“There is no way Coral should be expected to walk or go in her wheelchair on her own from Great Denham to Bedford College. It’s ridiculous.”
A spokesman for the council said: “As a general rule, young people who have a particular disability or mobility problem, including a temporary medical condition, will be entitled to assistance with travel arrangements to school or college once written medical advice is provided, which evidences the need for assistance with school or college travel arrangements. “
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Weather for Bedford
Thursday 23 May 2013
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