A CIRCULAR minibus service is needed to take people from outlying areas into Upton-upon-Severn, transport consultants say.

Upton Town Council has written to neighbouring parishes suggesting they make a joint bid for a Parish Transport Grant to fund the scheme, which would complement the existing ring-and-ride and community care schemes.

It could serve parts of Upton such as The Boynes, Upper and settlements off Tunnel Hill, as well as surrounding villages.

With a maximum grant of £10,000 per parish, Longdon, Holdfast, Ripple, Hanley Castle, Earls Croome and Severn Stoke could jointly purchase three return services a day, five days a week, for a year, or two services a day for 18 months.

Each parish involved would have to carry out a needs assessment and contribute £3,334 to obtain the maximum grant.

Practical solutions

Consultants Paul Beecham & Associates were commissioned by the Countryside Agency to assess local transport needs, with the help of the town council, local organisations and residents.

The aim was to find out what was needed, suggest practical solutions and advise on possible sources of funding.

Their report revealed the greatest unmet need was for people wanting to make shopping trips and social visits, especially the elderly who had difficulty in walking or getting on to conventional buses.

There was a particular need for bus services to go into residential areas where elderly people live, such as Queensmead, The Graftons, the Thomas Morris complex, Old Orchard, at Tunnel Hill, and the Beeches, at Ryall.

Most of their essential trips to doctors, hospitals and day centres were being catered for by Upton Community Care's voluntary car scheme, the report said.

But there was evidence that an informal network of voluntary lift-giving was coming under pressure because of the increasing age of both volunteers and passengers.

There was also confusion among Upton people about the ring-and-ride minibus service, which is targeted at people who are elderly, disabled or experiencing mobility problems.

Introduced in March, it is provided by Upton Community Action and available on Fridays for journeys to any part of the Malvern Hills district, but the report suggests the scheme needs clarifying and promoting.

The suggested solution was for a regular service, as frequent as funds allowed, going close to sheltered housing and into housing estates and isolated settlements.

A low-floor minibus, accessible to wheelchair users and people with baby buggies, was the preferred option.

Members of Upton Town Council are hoping to meet representatives of other parishes to discuss the proposal later this month.