'˜Free' taxi travel for stranded Sabden residents

Ribble Valley Homes has donated the money to be spent on taxis to replace the buses which no longer run in Sabden in order to transport tenants who live in social housing.Five taxi journeys a week will be put on for residents who have been left stranded in the village after the recent bus cuts by Lancashire County Council.Christine Grimshaw, managing director for Ribble Valley Homes, said: “It’s about assisting the tenants. This is a short-term solution to ensure social housing tenants in Sabden can still get out and move around.”Coun. Ged Mirfin, a nominee member from Ribble Valley Borough Council on the Ribble Valley Homes Board, said: “I congratulate Ribble Valley Homes on seizing the moral high ground and stepping in, even if for a short period of time, to provide a small amount of money after Lancashire County Council withdrew funding effectively cutting off social housing tenants in the village.“From a moral perspective it is absolutely the right decision for an organisation which provides a vital social service to the Sabden Community, however, at the same time it is not right that this money is ultimately coming out of the pockets of the Ribble Valley Homes Social Housing tenants.”The move has been welcomed by Sabden councillor Richard Newmark. He said: “Let’s face it, £1,000 is not going to stretch very far. This is a stop-gap measure until further consultation takes place in November. In the meantime, there is a very real danger that Social Housing in Sabden will become a white elephant. Many social housing tenants and elderly residents are totally reliant on public transport.“For those paying £10 to go by taxi to Clitheroe or £8 to Whalley it will make a difference – as long as the funding lasts – and that is just one way.”Taxi journeys will be provided to bus stops in Clitheroe, Padiham and Whalley among other popular destinations. The move comes as people believe the cuts are having a damaging effect on those in need who live in social housing.