Honiton-based TRIP Community Transport Association join forces with Exmouth and District Community Transport to roll out a new service.

Midweek Herald: Neil Hurlock and Val Royle of TRIP Community Transport Association at the launch of the new health and wellbeing accessible transport service. Photo by Terry Ife ref mhh 6551-37-13TI To order your copy of this photograph go to www.midweekherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24Neil Hurlock and Val Royle of TRIP Community Transport Association at the launch of the new health and wellbeing accessible transport service. Photo by Terry Ife ref mhh 6551-37-13TI To order your copy of this photograph go to www.midweekherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24 (Image: Archant)

Community transport groups in Honiton and Exmouth have joined forces to launch a health and wellbeing transport service.

TRIP Community Transport Association and Exmouth and District Community Transport officially launched the new venture last week, which aims to give residents in East Devon greater access to all forms of health and wellbeing appointments.

As part of the service the two groups will provide specially adapted vehicles to cater for people of all ages with limited mobility.

The new service has come about as a result of changes in the way the Department of Health medical needs criteria is applied in regards to the eligibility for hospital and medical transport.

Neil Hurlock, the manager of TRIP Community Transport Association, said: “This service will help ensure that people living in East Devon will be given more choice on how to get to hospital and other medical appointments.”

The new service was given funding from Devon County Council, which was made available from Government funds for community transport.

It will be open to residents across the whole of East Devon.

For more information on the service, call TRIP on 01404 46529.