Transport schemes given £1.49m boost

Patrick Dawson is chief executive of Amber Valley Community Transport

Amber Valley’s community transport scheme is among seven Derbyshire to share £1.49m in grants from  the county council.

Each scheme will receive £186,347, although Community Transport for Town and County (CT4TC), which covers Chesterfield and Amber Valley, will receive £372,694.

The grants are so community transport schemes can provide a range of journeys for people who are unable to use conventional public transport because services are limited or because of age or disability.

Community transport runs door-to-door, wheelchair-accessible minibuses, many with passenger assistants, as well as cars driven by volunteers for people to get to essential services such as the shops and healthcare  appointments.

The county council will also continue its funding of £50,000 to the Wheels to Work project – aimed at ensuring young people can get to work or training opportunities by loaning a moped or bike.

Patrick Dawson, chief  executive of community transport for town and  county, said: “The grant from Derbyshire County Council will enable us to continue to provide our  Dial-a-Bus service throughout the Amber Valley area.  “This service enables people to live independently by providing door-to-door transport from home to local supermarkets.”

Transport schemes from Ashbourne, Bakewell and Eyam, Clowne, Erewash,  Glossop and Swadlincote will also receive grants.