SHOPPING could be made easier for disabled people in a scooter scheme designed to make Otley more accessible.

The town is currently being considered as a site for Leeds City Council's Shopmobility programme. It provides scooters which disabled people can book in order to get around the shops.

Town and city councillor John Eveleigh has been working with Leeds' disabled people's equality committee chairman Councillor Brian Dale to promote Otley's chances of securing 'Shopmobility'.

Coun Eveleigh (Lab, Otley and Wharfedale), said he was very optimistic of its success. "I would expect this to really improve accessibility around the town. It is not solely there to assist people who are registered disabled, but anyone who finds difficulty in getting around," he said.

The proposal would see two scooters provided by the city council which would be based in Otley Civic Centre at Cross Green. Administration would be carried out by the town council.

Members of the public would be able to book the scooters by telephoning or calling in at the centre where they would be allocated a key to operate them. At the end of each day, scooter batteries would be recharged by Civic Centre staff.

Coun Eveleigh said the scheme demonstrated how both councils working together could achieve great benefits for residents.

It has also been welcomed by the Otley Town Partnership. Chairman Phil Coyne said: "This is just the type of scheme the Partnership wishes to identify with.

"It was one of the initiatives the traffic and transportation sub-group highlighted in 'Promoting Otley' at the recent public meeting and to be so close to concluding a deal is good news."

And disabled people are being asked to tell the town council what they need, including advising the project on the best type of scooter for shopping.

Julia Johnson, the town council's community development worker, is seeking people to form an advisory group not only for 'Shopmobility' but for the wider issues affecting them in Otley.

Coun Eveleigh said: "The fairly straight-forward administration of the scheme helps to make it user-friendly. I am sure Otley would benefit from it."

l Julia Johnson, Otley's community development worker, can be contacted on (01943) 466713.

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