Age UK Cheshire East is warning that local older people could lose precious community transport services, leaving many of the most vulnerable effectively trapped in their own homes, if new proposed Department for Transport guidance comes into effect.

Community transport services such as minibuses are a vital lifeline for many older people who do not have access to a car.

The problem is that new guidance from the Department for Transport proposes that in future, community transport drivers will need advanced driving licences, which cost more than £1,000 per person.

As well as community transport, this could also impact on services our charity provides, such as our dementia support club, which uses a minibus to transport older people to our centre.

If the changes come into effect, we could be forced to review how we operate such services as we may simply not be able to afford to meet these substantial extra costs.

We are really concerned that if these regulations were to come into effect it would prevent many older people across our area from getting out and about and could lead to greater NHS and social care costs as they become increasingly isolated and lonely.

 The proposals seem so unnecessary and unfair and that is why we will be urging our local MPs to ask the Government to look again at its proposed guidance and find a better approach.

Surely we all have a shared interest in supporting our community transport services?

Damon Taylor Age UK Cheshire East