The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Neston's Community Car Arrives

Local volunteers have come forward to help support Ellesmere Port & Neston's Community Transport at the launch of a dedicated service in the town.

Betty Smith road-tests the Neston Community Car

Tapping into funds from the Department for Transport "Sustainable Community Transport Initiative", Cheshire West and Chester Council have provided EP&NCT with use of a wheel chair accessible car for the community car scheme in the Neston area, which was delivered to Neston Community & Youth Centre today.

EP&NCT was formed some 13 years ago, initially by Dave O'Brien and Betty Smith.  It runs a number of vehicles helping vulnerable members of the community who are unable to access other transport services.  Betty, herself a well-known Neston resident and wheelchair user, has long campaigned for a vehicle to be stationed in Neston, rather than having to spend valuable resources bringing vehicles over from Ellesmere Port. 

An appeal on AboutMyArea and through flyers earlier this year saw some 15 volunteers in the Neston area step forward to help run the scheme.  Many of them were at NC&YC today to see the vehicle arrive and to gain some initial training.  Use of the car will be co-ordinated by Neil Sinclair at the Ellesmere Port base.

It is envisaged that the vehicle will initially be used in Neston to transport people to medical appointments, both at local doctor's surgeries and to hospitals.  As the scheme develops, it is hoped that further uses of the service may be looked into, such as transport for shopping or library visits.

A ramp provides easy access for wheelchairs,
which are then secured before the vehicle sets
off.

Whilst funding was provided for the vehicle itself, and drivers are not paid, the fuel and other running costs have to be covered by making  a small charge for each journey taken.  The initial fare is £2.50 for up to five miles, then 50p per mile.

Speaking at today's launch, Dave O'Brien said: "We are very pleased, after such a long time, to have a car here for the use of Neston residents.

"We are also delighted that so many volunteers have already stepped forward, and we hope that with their help, and additional volunteers who may come along in the future, we can help many people."

Betty Smith added: "I'm so happy that we have finally got this vehicle, particularly as there are no transport links in Neston to serve the doctor's surgeries."

If you would like more information about how to access the service, please contact EP&NCT on 0151 355 3739.

All photos are © Linda Pelling Photography

Neil Sinclair (3rd from left), Betty Smith (centre, seated) and Dave O'Brien (far right) with volunteers at today's Community Car Scheme launch in Neston.

Report this article as inappropriate

Comments

You need to log in before you can do that! It's only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.