A vital scheme which gives scores of people the independence to enjoy the sights and sounds of Bury St Edmunds has just got even better.
St Edmundsbury has invested £10,000 to provide seven new mobility scooters for people using Shopmobility, while the popular service is also now available seven days a week. The new scooters bring the total number available to the borough’s residents to ten.
Staff from the Tourist Information Centre will be showing off the mobility vehicles during a day-long event in the Cornhill Walk Shopping Centre on Monday, 19 June. It is hoped people who could benefit will come along to find out more about the scheme and the scooters.
And it could not be easier to take advantage of the scheme. Anyone who has difficulty walking can register at the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) on Angel Hill, taking along two forms of identification – one of which must include their address. They will then be asked to complete a simple form and pay a small fee before trained TIC staff show them how to use their vehicle of choice.
Those not keen to become members can also use the scheme on a one-off basis.
Cllr Terry Clements, Portfolio Holder for Transport, Planning and Leisure, said:
“The new mobility scooters are absolutely perfect for those who want to enjoy all the delights which Bury St Edmunds has to offer. The borough council has worked closely with local companies to provide equipment which is easy to use and will prove a massive help to those who benefit from the scheme. Shopmobility is already a vital resource for many and I hope this investment will allow even more people to enjoy their independence.”
Shopmobility relocated to new premises at the TIC at the end of last year and is now able to offer more extensive services. As a result, the number of people using the scheme has increased from 90 in April 2005 to more than 140 this April.
ENDS
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
