Community Wheels launches between Caldbeck, Wigton and Carlisle
'Community Wheels' is a community transport scheme being co-ordinated by Cumbria County Council to provide transport solutions to local communities that are not served by regular bus routes.
In partnership with a local steering group, the county council will offer demand-led transport as a weekly service, starting Monday 6 February, from Caldbeck & District to Carlisle on the first Monday of the month, followed by journeys to Wigton for the remaining Mondays of the month. Tysons previously served the area on Tuesdays.
A three-strong team of local volunteers gave up their time to successfully complete a nationally accredited minibus driver training and they are now on a rota to drive the 14-seater, fully accessible county council owned minibus on journeys throughout the Allerdale District.
People wanting to use Caldbeck, and District’s Community Wheels must live in the area and sign up as a member of the scheme in order to book a journey in advance.
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said:
“We have been working closely with a team of local people to set up this scheme, so that the local community can get out and about in their area, and I’m delighted Caldbeck and District’s Community Wheels will be up and running as of Monday 6 February.
“I would like to say a big thank you to our fantastic volunteers who make services like this possible.”
For information about how Community Wheels can be developed in your area, or to sign up as a volunteer driver, please contact Katy Wood, Voluntary Transport Officer at Cumbria County Council's Transport Services Team on 0333 240 69 65 (option 5) or 07788 396194.
To join the Caldbeck and District’s Community Wheels scheme, please email antoinette.ward@northernfellsgroup.org.uk or phone 016974 78787.
The minibus is also available for group hires through Cumbria Community Transport, who can be contacted on 01946 812777 (Allerdale) or 01228 402811 (Carlisle).
