A MAN has been left frustrated after changes to a bus service left him unable to get his wheelchair on to the bus.

David Redgewell from Thornbury, had used the 207 service, previously operated by Cotswold Green, as part of his journeys into Gloucester and Cheltenham for work.

The change in service was part of the overhaul of bus networks on Sunday, November 2 and saw the service change hands to Third Sector Services who now operate the route.

Although Mr Redgewell was aware of the changes to services but did not know that the new service would use a non-wheelchair accessible bus.

He said: “I don’t understand why contracts have been give to bus operators who use buses without low floors for wheelchair users.

“I couldn’t believe that any county council would give contracts to anyone without a super-low floor bus.

“I’m getting rather fed-up with this as the alternative I have to use now takes about half an hour longer just to get to Cam and Dursley station.

“I have looked at a different bus routes from Cam and Dursley station but neither the 35 nor 40 services are wheelchair accessible which makes it impossible.

“Another alternative could be by using a series of taxis but that would be very expensive.”

The route is now operated by Third Sector Services, a not-for-profit charity who run bus services across Gloucestershire.

A spokesman for Third Sector Services who recently took over the 207 service said: “We are a charity and as a charity we can only operate buses that we have to use.

“Unfortunately, at the moment we do not have a wheelchair accessible bus that we can operate in the area but we are working to that end and we hope to have a service with a wheelchair accessible operating very soon.

“In the mean time we have proposed offering individual transport services whilst we don’t have a wheelchair accessible vehicle but we are still in talks about pricing up that option.

“The new service we are planning will pick people up from their homes around the area and take them into Cam and Dursley.

“We are working to make sure the needs of wheelchair users are met and that should be happening in the near future rather than the distant future.

Alan Barrett, passenger transport manager at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I’ve met with Mr Redgewell and reassured him that we’re looking to find a solution to this problem.

“I have also spoken to Third Sector Services and as an interim measure they will be able to accommodate Mr Redgewell’s wheelchair if he is able to let them know in advance that he intends to travel.

“In the mean time, we will continue to look for a long term, better way forward.”