Community Links Transport service awarded £20k

Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust has awarded a grant of £20,000 to Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Community Links Transport service.

The District Council's Community Links Service operates in partnership with Warwickshire County Council, Voluntary Action Stratford-on-Avon District (VASA) and Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust.

The scheme aims to help all residents of any age, wherever they may live in the district, who are stuck for transport to get to local destinations on weekdays between about 9.30am and 2.30pm. The scheme is a door to door service aimed at those who have a genuine need for local transport and cannot access public transport because of mobility problems or other issues or live in an isolated location with no other form of transport available to them.

Councillor Maurice Howse, Business, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio says: “I am pleased that the Town Trust has felt able to support the Community Links Transport scheme. This is a vital service for all District residents without access to transport, as it allows users to maintain their independence.  I would urge Parish Councils to promote this excellent scheme in their area."

For further information about the Community Links Transport Service or if you know someone who needs such a service, please contact the Community Links team on 01789 264491.

• Community Links now operates five days a week, Monday to Friday, across the whole of the District, including Stratford-upon-Avon town centre, from 9.30am to 2.30pm   The service does not operate on Bank Holidays. If you live in a village, Community Links vehicles will try to reach any address, but some places may not be accessible. Cars will not leave the public highway.
• Where possible bookings need to be made three working days in advance, so that the team can try to accommodate all transport requests.
• To use the service people need to register by completing a simple form.  Registration is free.
• Customers are charged a flat rate of £1.50 for a single journey and £3.00 for a return journey.  If you are a carer and are travelling with the person you care for, then you can travel free of charge.
• The Community Links service can be used for a wide range of individual travel needs, such as visiting friends, attending social groups, leisure activities, lifelong learning and, of course, shopping.