2,000 booked free service (From Witney Gazette)

2,000 booked free service

11:34am Monday 1st September 2008 in Witney By David Horne

FORMER Witney mayor Arthur Titherington was in the celebration seat as he became the 2,000th customer to book a shopmobility powered scooter to get round the town.

Mr Titherington, 87, of Church Green, Witney, has been making use of the free service for people with disabilities over the past three years.

He said: "It is unquestionably very good. Neither I, nor my wife, can get around on foot as we used to do, but now I can nip around town and do all our shopping. It is an absolute godsend."

The Witney scheme, managed by Oxford City Council, started almost five years ago. Manual and powered wheelchairs and powered scooters can be hired and used by anyone with a mobility difficulty as a result of age, accident, or illness.

Manager, Robin Brooks, pictured with Mr Titherington, said trained staff were on hand to advise and help users. "The wheelchairs and scooters are incredibly easy to use, and our customers are all ages.

"The youngest we've had was nine years old, and our oldest customer, 103 years old, is one of our regular users," he added.

Witney Shopmobility is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9.30 am to 4pm. It is based in the Langdale Gate building, close to the car park in the Woolgate Centre.

Dedicated parking bays, for those with disabilities, are adjacent to the building, and there is a bus stop for the Dial-a-Ride service.

Jill Dunsmore, cabinet member for communities at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "Witney Shopmobility is a very popular service, and we are very proud to have set up a scheme in West Oxfordshire.

"I am pleased that Mr Titherington has found it to be so useful, and hope that this will encourage others with mobility difficulties to take advantage of this excellent free service."

For information or to make a booking, telephone 01993 864 787 or email shopmobility@oxford.gov.uk