A PARENT is taking legal action against Cheshire County Council over what she believes are 'unlawful transport charges' levied on her son.
Moulton mum Dorothy Jump contacted the Chronicle after we revealed Cheshire education chiefs' were looking to charge faith school pupils to travel to and from school - and said a similar step had already been taken for the county's disabled population.
She said: 'My son Christian attends Meadowbank Lodge every day. Before June 2004, the transport was free, then they increased it to £1.50 per day. In July this year, the cost was doubled to £3 per day. It's just not right.'
Christian, 33, suffered brain damage when he was four months old. Mrs Jump said that his attendance at the centre was necessary, not only for him, but also to give her time to perform everyday tasks to run her household.
At present, Cheshire County Council provides Christian with a taxi to and from the centre and Mrs Jump said: 'The activities at the centre really help him to learn. It's the only way we have found to help him, and they do a great job. If home carers such as me didn't have services like this available we wouldn't be able to cope.'
She has the help of a Birmingham solicitor specialising in disability issues to fight her case. She explained: 'Christian is exempt from day centre charges, so why are we having to pay transport costs for him to attend?
The solicitor has told me it might be unlawful to charge for this transport. Why should people have to pay for travel for an essential service?
'More to the point, what happens when they decide to put the prices up again?'
A Cheshire County Council spokes-woman said: 'The decision to increase the charges was made at a full council meeting in February, only in order to bring them closer to our actual transport costs. We are aware of the issue with Mrs Jump and we are seeking legal advice.'
