A wheels to work scheme is among measures being considered by the Department of Transport to help improve access to transport whilst also reducing transport-related carbon emissions.
According to the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI), the scheme which is designed to gives young people in rural areas vital access to employment and educational opportunities through the provision of a motorcycle or scooter, has received public support from the Transport Minister in his Commons speech.
In a Ministerial Statement (19 Jan ) launching the Government’s White Paper “Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon” Norman Baker MP, Under-Secretary of State for Transport, acknowledged the value of Wheels to Work. Baker commented: “ ‘Wheels to Work’ schemes provide transport to people who are unable to access training, employment or education, due to a lack of suitable public or private transport. Schemes can, therefore, particularly benefit people living in isolated rural communities and can play an important part in helping people to come off benefits and regain their independence.”
The White Paper and its associated Local Sustainable Transport Fund will help the Government to meet its key objectives of creating a transport system that helps create growth in the economy and can help tackle climate change.
The funds that will be made available are to help Local Authorities meet their local transport needs by putting together a package that will enable local people to travel more sustainably and cost-effectively. Wheels to Work was identified as one such scheme that could benefit from this fund.
The Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) is a strong supporter of the scheme and is involved in political lobbying activities to help secure funding and develop the project across the UK.
Steve Kenward, MCI’s CEO commented: “Individuals who have taken part in Wheels to Work have commented on how empowering the scheme has been, how it has opened doors that would have previously been closed and how training has enhanced their career prospects. We now need to work in partnership to ensure the continuation and expansion of the scheme.”
