Thousands of disabled and elderly residents could be affected by council plans to cut funding for Shopmobility and make cuts to other key transport services.

That’s the warning from Community Transport, the charity behind Shopmobility, which has been funded by Cheshire East and the former council for 22 years.

The council said last night that services will be reviewed and funding reduced – but that because it was the charity’s decision they could no longer continue with Shopmobility, the council would find an alternative, more affordable provider. It said a decision on an alternative was yet to be reached.

But Community Transport chairman Anthony Graves said the council cuts would have made it impossible to fund the shop, equipment and three workers, when funding stops on  March 31.

Dial-a-ride and Community Cars – services which take the elderly and disabled to medical appointments and shops – will also be hit by funding reductions, understood to be up to 50pc. Mr Graves says the council suggested volunteers could replace staff at Shopmobility and asked him to come up with ideas .

But he said: “I simply can’t imagine anyone wanting to help us keep the shop open six days a week as we do now. This is going to have a huge impact on people’s lives. Our main concern is for Shopmobility. I am terribly concerned that the people who rely on the mobility scooters and wheelchairs will not  be  able to get round town.”

Users have vowed to fight the plans with a petition.  John Dunn, of Delamere Drive, Hurdsfield, has used the service for 12 years. He said:  “It’s a lifeline for many disabled and elderly people. This is going to mean a lot to many who can’t get around any other way.”

A Cheshire East spokesman said: “They have decided they can no longer continue to provide certain services, one of which is Shopmobility.  As a result we have been in talks with alternative providers who have identified more cost effective ways of continuing to provide the same service at a lower cost, or no cost, to the tax payer. We would like to reassure current users  that – while the current provider will not be delivering the service in future – we will do everything we can  to make sure that a Shopmobility service is retained.”

Shirley Tristram, 64, of Elmstead Road, Chelford, who has MS and osteoarthritis, said: “I rely on it an awful lot. I won’t be able to go out in Macclesfield if it closes.”

Great-grandad Charles Richards, 81, has emphysema. He said: “I’d have no independence without  Shopmobility.”

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