A very encouraging meeting of GoSTART’s volunteers and supporters was held yesterday evening. I was able to see at first hand that a good number of people have signed up as voluntary drivers and others have volunteered to do clerical and bus maintenance work. There is a proposal that Section 106 funds available from the builders of the Tesco Development be used to purchase badly needed new vehicles, specially adapted for wheelchairs. This could be the piece in the funding jigsaw that ensures that a first class community transport service for the Sudbury area is up and running by the summer.
The service's revival would be a great relief for all those who are currently isolated in their homes and are unable to get out and about, not to mention schools and other community groups that have relied on the service in the past.
It is very appropriate that Section 106 moneys be used, since the aim is to compensate Sudbury Town Centre for the loss of trade caused by the out of town Tesco development, and I cannot think of a better way of doing this than making sure that more people can get into the Town centre shops and facilities.
As I have mentioned before, the service will encompass Little Waldingfield, which is to lose all but one Saturday bus service in the weeks to come, so residents of that village in particular should take a particular interest in helping the project to get off the ground. Donations will be gratefully received!
A number of question marks remain, and negotiations continue with the County Council. One important question is ‘Will bus passes work on the new transport? It seems only fair that they should given the fact that the County Council, and the public sector in general, will get a very good deal from the new services which will be mainly run by volunteers.
Anyone wanting to help out, either as a volunteer, supporter or donor should contact John Phillips on
01787 310840 or
+447718736366
E mail
