Transport service meetings

ELDERLY or disabled residents affected by the axing of Oldham Council’s Integrated Transport Unit are being urged to attend three consultation sessions this week.

The department, which will close on March 31, is being cut to make £500,000 savings.

The jobs of seven drivers and two office staff are also under threat as part of the measure to streamline all services, as revealed in the Chronicle last week.

Around 400 people are currently transported from their homes to daycare centres across the borough.

Councillor Brian Lord, Cabinet member for adult services and health, said: “It was felt that there were far better ways to provide it and ensure that savings were made across the entire council budget.”

The meetings take place tomorrow at the Crompton Suite, Oldham Civic Centre, between 12.30 and 1.30pm; on Wednesday at Laurel Bank Daycare Centre, Shaw, 5.15pm-6.15pm and Thursday (5.15– 6.15pm) at Ena Hughes Centre, Failsworth.