A BRADFORD woman who uses an electric wheelchair was invited to the International Women’s Day celebrations in the Houses of Parliament - but was unable to get there due to poor transport access.

Saffron Farr-Hoey, 21 who lives in Wrose, Shipley, said she couldn’t attend the prestigious event in London due to a train cancellation.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Saffron Farr Hoey, 21 from Wrose speaks out about poor public access transport for disabled people. Image: UGCSaffron Farr Hoey, 21 from Wrose speaks out about poor public access transport for disabled people. Image: UGC (Image: UGC)

She was beyond excited at the prospect of attending the event today and was due to read out her speech on poor transport accessibility for disabled people in Bradford. Ironically, she said this was the exact reason she was unable to attend.

Saffron’s mum, Maxine, said: “It took us a week to book a taxi that could accommodate Saffron’s electric wheelchair.

“We kept ringing around taxi companies who were saying they don’t do them anymore and then we found one and booked it.

“To get from our house in Wrose to Shipley station which is two minutes away by car would cost us £15 but for anyone else, it would be a maximum £4.50.

“Then the train was cancelled this morning and no direct trains were going, the other trains were transferring at Leeds and with Saffron’s wheelchair it’s really difficult because if the train is running late then it’s difficult to get her wheelchair to the next train in time.”

Saffron was ready to use her voice in parliament and raise awareness about the issues she constantly faces.

In her speech, she would have said: “I have cerebral palsy and I’m an electric and manual wheelchair user. I’ve always felt guilty or uncomfortable with using my wheelchair as I'm able to walk but I get in extreme pain and get fatigued.

“Society is the first to judge a situation without knowing the facts that lead to my next issue. There is a lack of taxi services for people in wheelchairs to prove my point it has taken a whole week to organise a taxi from my home to my local train station to be able to get here today not only that they charge me up to three times more money.

“Has someone forgotten that we are in a cost-of-living crisis and expect that people with disabilities are loaded?

“Me as a young disabled adult should have freedom however tackles that provide wheelchair access stop their services at 8pm which needs to change.”

She’s told by the taxi services when she needs to be done at an event or they will not pick her up.

Saffron wastes a great deal of her time waiting around for taxis that are supposed to be picking her up but are delayed or simply unavailable.

It’s an issue that impacts all disabled people in the area but is never discussed because people in these positions feel as if they don’t have a voice.

She added: “Going to Parliament today was very important for me because I wanted to raise these issues and show people how difficult it is getting around with a disability.”

Have you got a story for us? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01274 705292.