>August Events / Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Health & Wellbeing / Waveney Valley August 15, 2013
Borderhoppa, the popular community transport initiative, is pleased to announce plans to launch an expanded service thanks to a grant of almost £350,000 awarded by the Big Lottery Fund.
The grant of £346,257, which will be spread over three years, will enable Borderhoppa to buy two more custom-built buses with wheelchair access, create four new full-time jobs as well as securing employment for seven existing staff. Trustees believe the grant is the biggest investment made in community transport in the area to date.
The new Borderhoppa Plus project, which operates in South Norfolk and North Suffolk, will run for 12 hours a day Monday to Friday, instead of eight, and introduce a new Saturday service to benefit those without the use of a car. It is available to people of all ages, especially young job seekers and elderly people. For the first time, the service will also be available in Long Stratton and the surrounding parishes.
Geoff Doggett, trustee and fundraiser for Borderhoppa Plus said: “This award from Big Lottery shows their understanding and desire to help us make a real difference to loneliness and social deprivation for those living in rural South Norfolk and North Suffolk.”
He added: “I am still stunned by this fantastic news. We can now, as a local charity and managed by volunteer trustees, really enjoy working with all our local parishes and community organisations in the Waveney Valley and beyond to deliver three more years of innovative and excellent service.”
South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon said: “This award is marvellous news for the rural parishes around Diss, Harleston and Long Stratton. People in rural areas often struggle without their own transport or a regular bus service. However, this boost to the Borderhoppa will provide better access to local shops, jobs and amenities. This will help increase employment, lower rural isolation and grow the local economy.
Suffolk County Council chairman Guy McGregor added his congratulations. He said: “As a long term supporter of community rural transport, I am overjoyed to hear of the success of the local Borderhoppa team in securing over a third of a million pounds to improve transport in the rural parishes of Hoxne and Eye. This money will be used to enable better access for young people to secure employment and training as well as making it easier for our residents to get to medical practices.”
The existing core dial-a-ride service carries 20,000 passenger journeys per year to 64 parishes and brings an estimated benefit in excess of £350,000 to local market towns. The Borderhoppa Plus project will increase that figure by 50% over three years and widen its catchment area to 70 parishes. Buses are also available to community groups for hire at affordable rates.
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