Cheshire West and Chester Council launch Community Transport Recommission consultation

Cheshire West and Chester Council launch Community Transport Recommission consultation

12 March 2020

 

 

 

 

Closing date: 22 May 2020

Help shape Community Transport Services in Cheshire West and Chester.

What is this consultation about?

Community Transport services are provided to residents who are unable to access conventional public transport by Cheshire West and Chester Council, to help them remain independent and access essential services.

The Council commissions (or buys-in) these services and current contracts are due to end in March 2021. Therefore there is an opportunity to review what works well about the community transport service, and what changes may enhance services, before putting in place new contracts.

What proposals are being considered?

The Council are considering a number of proposals to ensure community transport services meet people’s needs now and in the future, in way that is both fair and equitable across the Borough, and is affordable for the Council to run.

These include:

  1. ​Increasing the number of residents using the service
  2. Reviewing routes in operation
  3. Contributing to tackling the climate emergency
  4. Reviewing fares charged for the service

They would like to hear your views on these proposals, to help inform decisions about the future development of the community transport service.

Please read the consultation information for further information about these proposals:

Community Transport services operate alongside commercial bus services, and some bus services which the Council has to help sustain through its own funding. Bus services across the country have been under a lot of pressure for many years, and many have stopped operating. Although this consultation is about Community Transport, these services cannot be seen as separate from other bus services which the Council wants to sustain. The Council is therefore conducting a wider review of their work to protect and extend bus services, including for school pupils and in rural areas. The views collected through this consultation will help ensure the wider transport review fully reflects your views.

How can I have my say?

The consultation is open from 28 February until 22 May 2020 and there are a number of ways you can get involved and share your views:

Paper copies are available to pick up at locations across the borough including Libraries, Brio Centres and​ Shop Mobility venues. Alternatively, paper copies of the survey and prepaid return envelopes can be requested via the following methods:

An easy-read document is available upon request. If you would like to request an easy-read version:

Drop-in events

Two drop in events will take place on each of the following dates. The events are open to all residents, families and organisations.

A morning event will take place from 10am – 12 noon and an afternoon event from 4pm – 6pm (with the exception of Tarvin Community Centre when the afternoon event will take place from 3pm – 5pm).

  • Monday 2 March: Wyvern House, The Drumber, Winsford, CW7 1AU
  • Tuesday 3 March: Frodsham Community Centre, Fluin Lane, Frodsham WA6 7QN
  • Wednesday 4 March: Forum Shopping Centre, Northgate Street, Chester CH1 2BY
  • Thursday 5 March: Tarvin Community Centre, Meadow Close, Tarvin, Chester, CH3 8LY
  • Monday 9 March: Neston Community Youth Centre, Burton Rd, Little Neston, Neston CH64 9RE
  • Tuesday 10 March: Tarporley and District Community Centre, 113A High St, Tarporley, CW6 0AY
  • Thursday 12 March: Ellesmere Port Civic Hall, Civic Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 0AZ
  • Tuesday 17 March: Parade Enterprise Centre, 51 The Parade, Blacon, Chester CH1 5HW
  • Wednesday 18 March: Malpas Village Hall (known as Jubilee Hall), Malpas, SY14 8NT
  • Thursday 19 March: Northwich Memorial Court, Chester Way, Northwich, CW9 5QJ​​

What will happen next?

At the end of the consultation, all the feedback received will be analysed and reported. It will be used to help inform the development of the proposals and Council decisions on plans for community transport services. A summary of the consultation findings and decisions taken will be published in July 2020.

If you would like to know more about how the Council use and store the information you give in this survey, please read our consultation privacy notice:

Other ways of accessing information

Council information is also available in audio, braille, large print or other formats. If you would like a copy in a different format, in another language or require a British sign language (BSL) interpreter: