ENVIRONMENTAL group Westden is celebrating the expansion of its pioneering wheels-to-work project which is this month transferring to a Devon-wide scooter scheme. The Westden Getting There project was set up in April 2001 with ten scooters to help young people living in remote areas of West Devon to reach work and services. Since then it has expanded to 35 low-powered scooters and has helped almost 200 young people to access work in West Devon through its six-month scooter loan scheme. The project has also helped 94 people to pass their driving tests and a further 77 with subsidised driving lessons. At the end of this month, the scooter loan activity will transfer to Devon Wheels 2 Work — a new community interest company —which is based at Halwill Junction. Devon Wheels 2 Work provides loans of low powered scooters to people of all ages across Devon who need them to reach employment or work-based training. The scheme also offers opportunities for people to buy the scooters at the end of the loan period. Westden director Anna Kennedy said: 'The scooter loans have been a fantastic success and have helped many young local people to reach employment, to become independent, and to contribute to the sustainability of West Devon. 'We are really pleased that the scheme has developed and expanded so that it can benefit many more people of all ages across Devon.' One young person who benefited from a scooter loan is Michael Card, aged 19, of Milton Abbot. He said: 'I owe my career as an electrician to Westden and am very thankful to have had the opportunity to be part of the project.' Lynn Thornton, Devon rural transport officer for Devon Rural Transport Partnership, said: 'I would like to register our thanks for the hard work that has been put into the scheme over the years. Without that work, the current development of the Devon-wide scheme would not have been possible.' The Getting There Project was funded by the National Lottery, Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, West Devon Community Safety Partnership, Devon Renaissance, South West Regional Development Agency and Lloyds TSB. Many individuals, organisations and businesses from the local community have helped and supported the project over the past six years particularly Directions, Connexions and Youthwise. Westden is planning to continue providing subsidised driving lessons for young people. Anyone in West Devon who needs to borrow a scooter to reach work or training can contact Devon Wheels 2 Work: 0845 0944 308. For information about subsidised driving lessons, contact Westden on 0845 345 5077.
