Patients demand permanent bus service to rural hospital

Residents have complained for years about the lack of transport to the East Cleveland Hospital, in Brotton.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has now provided a temporary service travelling through Brotton, Lingdale and Skelton.

But Ted McNicholls, treasurer of Brotton Over-60s Friendly Club, said the lack of transport to local health services had dragged on too long.

He said: "A service is being provided but its only running for six months, we want something permanent and we need it now."

He said a trial run was granted for a three-month service in 2003 and authorities vowed to review the situation but there was still no regular service.

Mr McNicholls added: "We are not asking for much, just a regular bus we can use to get to our appointments.

"The weather this time of the year makes it even more difficult for pensioners to get out and about.

"Transport should have been looked at more closely before the hospital was built."

The twice-a-day 752 service has been organised by the Tees Valley Rural Transport Partnership and the parish council. The 12-seater bus, provided by Keith Redman Coaches, in Redcar, will run from Monday, February 7. It also has wheelchair access.

A funding package involves the Countryside Agency, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Skelton and Brotton Parish Council.

Redcar and Cleveland councillor Eric Empson, who is responsible for strategic planning, development and Infrastructure, said: "We are pleased to support this initiative which will vastly improve access to health care facilities at East Cleveland Hospital."

The service will leave Charltons at 9.10am and arrive at the hospital at 9.50am. It will leave the hospital at 10.35am, arriving back at Charltons at 11.11am.

The afternoon service will leave Charltons at 2.10pm, arriving at the hospital at 2.50pm, then leaving the hospital at 4pm, arriving back at Charltons at 4.36pm.

For more details on the service, call (01287) 612528.