Taxi vouchers to help villagers

The taxi vouchers aim to help elderly people get to local services

Taxi vouchers are to be given to people living in outlying areas of Tewkesbury who find it difficult to get about.

The borough council has allocated £22,000 to be distributed amongst ten parishes in the area.

The scheme is aimed at elderly or vulnerable people who do not have a car or have trouble using bus services.

Don Gloyn, chairman of Shurdington parish council, said: "There's a crying need. It's easy for people to forget that many don't have motor cars."

He said that while some elderly people can rely on relatives or friends to provide transport, many are housebound, or just find it difficult to get to their local post office, doctor or hospital.

His wife, Barbara, who runs Shurdington Friendship Club, said: "It's not just given for medical reasons, it's given to improve their lives, if they want to go the pub, a party, a coffee morning."

The scheme is being trialled for a year and, if successful, could be extended.

It is open to people living in Shurdington, Winchcombe, Greet, Snowshill, Churchdown, Twyning, Gotherington, Innsworth, Down Hatherley and Badgeworth.

Those wanting vouchers are invited to apply to their parish councils.