Community Transport

There are a number of community transport services available for those residents who don't have their own transport or who no longer drive.  Details are as follows:  

  Botesdale Health Centre

The Friends of Botesdale Health Centre run a volunteer transport scheme (currently being handled single-handedly by John Humphries, the Chair, as there has been difficulty finding volunteers).  This service is from home to the health centre and return, for appointments ONLY.  Payment to cover fuel costs.  John can be contacted at Jahumphries@gmail.com

Gordon Lawrence – The Botesdale and Rickinghall Good Neighbour Scheme (“Wheels within Wheels”)

The Health Centre also works with Gordon Lawrence for community transport.  Gordon runs a mini bus service for up to 8 passengers with facilities for wheelchair users.  The bus is available to hire for medical appointments, shopping trips, visiting friends/relatives, club outings etc.  You can also hire the bus for appointments at the West Suffolk Hospital - Gordon will wait up to an hour (longer by arrangement).  No parking fees at the hospital but a return trip is currently charged at about £35.  This is for the whole mini bus so would be cheaper if more than one person share.  Gordon can be contacted on 01379 897109.

Gordon's mini-bus service could be used for a regular weekly shopping hoppa trip between Redgrave and Diss for non-driving residents if someone would be willing to co-ordinate this with Gordon.  If anyone would like to help set this up please contact our clerk at clerk@redgrave-pc.gov.uk  If not, then this can be used as a dial and ride service.

Borderhoppa

The Borderhoppa service covers South Norfolk and North Suffolk for medical appointments, shopping trips etc.  It also offers regular social outings or their mini bus can be privately hired by not for profit organisations to a destination of their choice. Further information and details of their social events can be found here Community Transport | South Norfolk and North Suffolk (borderhoppa.org)

Communities Together East Anglia

This is part of the countywide service operated by Suffolk County Council and covers Mid Suffolk.  They provide mobility accessible transport services and volunteer led community cars.  All their volunteers have advanced DBS checks and are dementia and first aid aware.  Further information here Community Transport - Communities Together East Anglia

Non-Emergency Hospital Transport Services

The Patient Transport Service provides ambulances to patients who need support to reach their healthcare appointment, or for their admission to and discharge from hospital.  Please call 0845 850 0774 giving at least 48 hours’ notice when requesting transport.  You will need your NHS number.  This service is only available in cases of medical need.  Further information can be found here How to organise transport to and from hospital - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

304 Bus Service

The 304 bus service runs between Diss and Bury St Edmunds, stopping at Redgrave.  It is run by Simonds Country Link.  Timetables can be found here  Local Bus Times | Simonds Coach & Travel