The new bus, which offers full accessibility for wheelchair users, will operate as Consett Community Access and will be run by the Consett Churches Detached Youth Project. It will provide transport for youngsters involved in the youth project and other members of the local community who experience mobility problems due to lack of public transport, disability or because of the costs involved.
A RES grant of almost £38,000 was awarded to the project by the Rural Development Service (RDS), which delivers RES on behalf of Defra, while Hargreaves (UK) Limited contributed an additional £20,000. Durham County Council also supported the project by providing help with certain costs outside the scope of the RES project.
Jackie Forbes, of Consett Churches Detached Youth Project, said:
"The youth project was established in 1981 following the closure of the local steel works, a major employer in the area. Its aim was to help deal with the knock-on effects brought about by unemployment, such as depression and family break-ups, particularly the effect it would have on the young people of the villages around Consett."
Our outdoor youth detached workers contact young people who may normally hang around on street corners or bus shelters and build up a relationship with them, encouraging them to join our wide ranging activities and educational workshops. These range from fishing and archery to martial arts and drug awareness courses. Our office in Consett is also always open for anyone to call in for advice, a chat or just a cup of tea.
The new bus will make a real difference, allowing us to take the youngsters further afield and with the help of a team of volunteer drivers we can provide a vital service to others in the community – both individuals and groups - who may have transport difficulties."
Stephen Collins, an adviser for the Rural Development Service in the North East, said:
"One of the key aims of RES is to help and support the development of rural communities and transport services are a key element in achieving this.
The Consett Community Access project will not only help those involved in the youth project but also the wider community and we’re delighted to have been able to support this project."
Lilian Bleanch, West Durham Rural Transport Officer at Durham County Council, said:
"This project is a wonderful example of partnership working for the good of the community. Hargreave’s donation, which helped match the grant from Defra, was one of only a tiny few to come from the private sector and so was particularly welcome.
The minibus bid to Defra was well supported by the community and I am sure this support will continue through the minibus being well used. The major aim is to reduce social exclusion through lack of suitable transport or affordability in the area and when available the minibus will be part of the County Vehicle Sharing Project."
Durham County Councillor Bob Young, Chairman of Hargreaves (UK) Ltd, said:
"Hargreaves is delighted to sponsor and support this project, which I believe will bring enormous added benefits to the excellent work being done by the Consett Community Access group.
Our contribution is part of the support Hargreaves provide for our local communities and represents an opportunity for us to identify with a particularly worthwhile venture.
As one of the largest private sector employers in Derwentside, with more than 500 employees nationwide, Hargreaves’ first duty is to our own people, but this does not mean that we can ignore the needs of others, especially members of our local communities."
