A HEALTHCARE firm fears the closure of Lendal Bridge in York will delay its carers as they travel from home to home – causing them to lose pay.

Managing director Glenn Pickersgill said Heritage Healthcare provides health and domiciliary care to about 60 York people in their own homes.

He said the firm’s 20 members of staff were only paid for the time they were providing care and not for the time they spent travelling between homes.

This was because organisations such as City of York Council only paid the firm for the time its staff spent with clients.

He said he feared next week’s experimental closure of the bridge to cars and taxis, between 10.30am and 5pm, would inevitably lead to extra delays for carers as they had to take diversions as they tried to get across the city.

It’s going to be mayhem,” he said.

He said the company would try to amend rosters as much as possible to reduce trips over the river, but it was impossible to eradicate them altogether.

City of York Council has said its closure scheme could cut congestion and pollution and speed up bus services.

But opponents have claimed it will cause gridlock on other roads and harm city-centre traders.

Darren Richardson, director of city and environmental services, said: "While we are sympathetic to these care providers, the trial is being carried out to ultimately reduce the impact of traffic on all normal car users across the city and to encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking.

"We would encourage businesses to consider their schedules in relation to the trial to minimise disruption for their customers.’’

He said more infomration on different routes to take and public transport services available was available at itravelyork.info

He added that more information on the bridge closure trial could be found at
york.gov.uk/citycentreimpr ovements.

A council spokeswoman added that the rate submitted by Heritage Healthcare to the authority was all inclusive and therefore should include travel for its staff.