Community shuttle for Ilkeston

A community shuttle that will carry passengers around Ilkeston Town Centre looks set to be an electric eight-seater minibus with additional capacity for wheelchair access.

The community shuttle is just one of a number of projects that will be funded through the council’s £2.8 million share of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The shuttle would operate regularly throughout the day on a trial basis. It is hoped that it would also take passengers to other attractions in the town such as Victoria Park, Erewash Museum and the planned new nature reserve at the former Pewit Golf Course.

Councillor Bryn Lewis, Lead Member for Town Centres, said: “The Bath Street shuttle will be the ideal solution for shoppers, visitors to our town’s attractions and people who may have difficulty walking up the length of the town’s main shopping street. It’s an incredibly exciting project and I look forward to seeing it in place. It will be a benefit to the town’s businesses, residents and visitors.”

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.