Community Transport on the Move
Having suffered from a reduced bus service in recent years, Contin and its neighbouring villages began work to improve transport options with support from the EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund - Contin.
The EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund - Contin is a sub-fund of the EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund. The fund supports a diverse range of projects with local priorities for the fund, based on community consultation, including heritage, youth activities, play parks for younger kids, community gardens, social events, and activities for families and other residents.
Contin and its neighbouring villages, Garve and Strathpeffer, have suffered badly in recent years from a reduced bus service. Without a car, it is increasingly difficult to access work and leisure opportunities from the village, as well as getting to medical appointments or to the shops. For those with mobility issues, even accessing the bus stop can be a challenge.
Four years ago, Contin Community Council instigated a Transport Feasibility study (supported by this fund) bringing neighbouring communities together to investigate options for a community-led response to improve transport options. The pandemic of course delayed progress, but since then groups in Contin have been working closely with Garve and District Development Company in particular, to take this forward, combining resources to find a solution which will benefit the wider area.
GDDC was the obvious organisation to deliver this next phase, to build on the work they were already doing around transport issues. They employed a project manager for transport and green energy who worked extensively on the business, social, and practical case for a local bus service, building on the initial feasibility research. Commitment was secured from Highland Council to either supply a bus from existing fleet for community use, or provide funds to purchase a bus.
Contin Community Council applied on their behalf for £3,000 from this fund to contribute to a total project cost of £18,255 for GDDC to then employ a part-time project manager for one year, with a specific aim of setting up a transport service for the area.
Norma Ross, Chair of Contin Community Council said:
“I feel this project has the capacity to improve the independence and therefore the well being of many of our residents whilst reducing our carbon footprint.”
The one-year development phase is ongoing (around halfway at the time of writing), with the project on track to be up and motoring by the summer of this year. Highland Council will provide an 8-seater diesel vehicle for the group and is committed to also supporting running costs (though not fuel costs) for three years. There is ongoing negotiation about taking on some local council service routes which would give the project some guaranteed income with the bus then available for on-demand requests out with any scheduled times. The aim is to employ two local part-time drivers and also to train a small group of volunteers. The project manager is fundraising for running costs for the first three years to establish the service. A booking app would be used alongside a project officer to handle admin and manual bookings where necessary.
Ultimately the hope would be to have an electric bus for the project. Funding applications are also in place for EV charging infrastructure for the area at Aultguish and at Contin Hall – as fast charging infrastructure would need to be in place to make an electric bus a viable option in the future.
The group has received considerable support from Highland Council who have been backing the project from the outset. They also have had help from the Community Transport Association, particularly on many of the legal and technical issues around licensing, training, insurance etc. Other community transport projects in the area, such as the groups in Gairloch, Applecross, and Nairn have also been very helpful with practical advice and information.
Project manager Ewan Bush said:
“The Contin community has contributed in more ways than just helping to fund this project. Involved in the steering group, they have brought useful contacts and learning. Working on the project has highlighted the importance of good transport infrastructure and the wider impact it can have in the community – helping elderly residents live well for longer in their own homes and making the area more appealing and liveable for families and young people. Rural transport services have been eroding gradually over many years and it is good to see that there is now more recognition of the importance of good transport links and the wider benefits they bring, as seen by the commitment from Highland Council to support the project.”