A COUNCIL has rejected claims there are not enough wheelchair accessible taxis in Castle Point.

Muscular Dystrophy UK gave the council the lowest grade possible claiming only three are available.

The council claims the figure is actually seven although this is still far below neighbouring boroughs.

In Basildon 100 - or 52 per cent - are wheelchair friendly.

A spokesman for Castle Point Council: “Seven vehicles is not unexceptional for a borough of the size of Castle Point and any changes requiring the supply of these vehicles will require Government to change the law.”

Despite claims from the council the lack of wheelchair accessible taxis is causing problems.

Helen Cottee, manager of Longview Residential Home, Little Gypps Road, Canvey Island, said: “We are so used to not being able to get a taxi when we need one that it’s just a run of the mill thing for us.

“One week is the minimum notice that we have to give to be able to get one.

“This has a terrific impact.

“If the families of our patients can’t get them to the hospital, then sometimes we have to cancel hospital appointment.

“About 96 per cent of our patients have dementia, so they don’t necessarily realise what’s happening.

“It’s the families who suffer from additional stress in trying to make alternative arrangements.”

Steve Davies, 53, who lives in Hadleigh, Benfleet, is son-in-law to Robert Nicholas, a 96 year-old wheelchair-user.

He said: “I think it’s very important for taxis suitable for disabled people to be available when they’re needed,” he said. “The population of older people in growing, so there is more and more need for these taxis as people become old and frail.”

Chris Cowley, 67 manages the office of A & B Taxis, a firm with 170 cars in their fleet who are based in Basildon. Twelve of their cars are wheelchair accessible. Three months ago, his company expanded into Castle Point with three new vehicles, but none of these are wheelchair accessible. He said: “We don’t have a wheelchair friendly car in the area yet, but our wheelchair accessible cars do get called to go out because obviously there is a demand.”