Opportunity Goole - one of the eight strategic projects funded by Goole Town Deal - has subsidised the cost of 20 brand new scooters to help the town’s residents access training and job opportunities.

The new scooters will be managed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s existing Kickstart vehicle loan scheme (previously known as Wheels To Work), but the Opportunity Goole-funded scooters are exclusively for the use of Goole residents. This latest investment takes the total number of scooters available to Goole residents up to 20, although 11 of these are already in use.

Among those currently benefiting from the scooters are Lisa Grant and Ben Bowden, who both live in Goole.

Lisa said: “It has made a big different to me. I work seven miles out of Goole, but could no longer get a lift so wouldn’t have been able to carry on going. When I heard about the scheme, I found it really good.”

Ben explained that being able to loan a scooter meant he was able to avoid cycling to his job in Howden during the colder winter months, adding: “This has helped me out loads.”

Goole residents who are struggling to access work or training opportunities due to a lack of public transport or difficulties meeting transport costs can contact the Opportunity Goole team for more information or visit the Kickstart page on the East Riding of Yorkshire Council website. Eligible applicants are required to pay a monthly charge of £69 to cover rental fees, insurance, tax and servicing, but this is typically much cheaper than the cost of other forms of transport. There’s also a £115 start-up fee, but the Opportunity Goole team may be able to help any applicants struggling to make this initial payment to access grant funding. Pop in to chat with the team at Goole Library or email: opportunitygoole@eastriding.gov.uk

Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Since its launch, the council’s Kickstart Scheme has been hugely successful and there are now a total of 55 scooters available to residents across the East Riding. Thanks to this investment from Goole Town Deal, 20 of these are exclusively for the use of Goole residents.

“We know that demand for these scooters in particularly high in the Goole area, so it’s wonderful to see Opportunity Goole linking up with the Kickstart Scheme to deliver even greater benefits for the town’s residents. I’d encourage anyone who would like to loan a scooter but needs help applying or is struggling to meet the start-up costs to have a chat with the Opportunity Goole team for support and advice.”

Phil Jones, Chair of the Goole Town Deal Board, welcomed the investment, adding: “It’s fantastic that there are now 20 scooters available to help residents of the town access work and training opportunities. As one of the eight strategic projects that the Goole Town Deal Board chose to allocate funding to, the Opportunity Goole team helps local people to gain the knowledge and skills they need to secure employment and ensures that employers can recruit local people with the skill set that they’re looking for. This is another fantastic example of the team - and Goole Town Deal funding - being used to make a tangible difference to local people.”

• To find out more about Opportunity Goole and the other seven Goole Town Deal-funded projects, visit www.gooletowndeal.co.uk. You can also follow Goole Town Deal on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to News