A new community transport service is set to help residents in villages surrounding Shrivenham to maintain their independence.

West Vale Mobility, developed by Shrivenham Parish Council, is providing transport for residents in Shrivenham, Bourton, Watchfield, Longcot, and Ashbury.

The service will help residents reach health and wellbeing services, including Elmtree GP surgery and Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: "Our Oxfordshire Way vision looks to support people to live well and independently within their own communities.

Councillor Tim BearderCouncillor Tim Bearder (Image: Oxfordshire County Council) "While many Oxfordshire residents live in larger urban areas, which are well connected, our more rural areas are not always as well served.

"That’s where community transport plays a key role in filling the gaps where public transport isn’t as readily available."

The service, run by volunteers, picked up its first scheduled passengers on Monday, October 14.

It is available to book a week in advance with a minimum fuel donation of £5 per journey.

This compares to a minimum taxi fare of around £17 from Shrivenham to the hospital in Swindon.

Any resident in the parishes of Shrivenham, Bourton, Watchfield, Longcot, and Ashbury can use the service, although priority is given to wheelchair users.

The programme has been made possible by £18,000 funding from the county council’s community transport grants as well as an additional £32,000 from section 106 contributions, ringfenced for local transport provision.

The funding has enabled West Vale Mobility to purchase an adapted Renault Traffic van, designed to transport a passenger in their wheelchair as well as additional people who may be supporting them during their appointment.

If their wheelchair is not up to transport safety standards, West Vale Mobility can provide a wheelchair for the duration of the journey, with enough space to carry their personal mobility chair in the back.

West Vale Mobility has also benefited from support from Community Catalysts, a programme that helps groups and individuals to establish care and support opportunities.

Anita Wingad, community enterprise catalyst for Oxfordshire, said: "I feel so excited and pleased for the team that are about to launch the scheme.

"They have worked hard to get the right vehicle and all the processes in place for a quality service."

Ian Bailey, a trustee of West Vale Mobility, added: “It’s been a long road getting this project off the ground and we couldn’t have done it without the support of several local groups and organisations.

“It really is a team effort and we’re looking forward to our programme making a real difference to our communities."

Bookings are now being taken by emailing bookings.westvalemobility@gmail.com.