Pioneer car scheme in Ludlow is off to a fine start (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Pioneer car scheme in Ludlow is off to a fine start

8:00am Sunday 10th March 2013 in News By Adrian Kibbler

MORE than 100 people declared an interest on just the first day of a pioneering car share scheme in Ludlow.

“We were absolutely inundated with interest from all sorts of people,” said David Currant from Ludlow who is a director of the Co-Wheels scheme.

If the expressions of interest turn into membership registrations then the issue quickly become if the two cars that have been provided initially will be enough.

The first Co-wheels Car Club in Shropshire was officially launched in Ludlow at the local produce market.

It gives members the opportunity to hire a fully insured set of wheels, for private or business use, for as little as an hour at a time.

Shropshire Co-wheels cars are ready to book online and drive away.

The joining fee is £25 and journeys are charged per hour and per mile.

Drivers need to be aged over 18 and to have held a licence for at least a year in order to register to use the cars.

The scheme will save members on capital outlay, servicing, tax, insurance, tyres, and depreciation.

“This is the ideal solution if you drive less than 8,000 miles a year,” said Emma Bullard of Co-wheels Shropshire.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne has also added his backing to the scheme.

“I have been encouraging community transport schemes for many years and am convinced that in rural areas like South Shropshire it is schemes like these that can make all the difference to local residents who may not be able to afford to run a car full time,” said Philip Dunne.

Ludlow is the first town in Shropshire to launch the scheme that will also be introduced in Shrewsbury.

If it proves a success other market towns may become involved.

Initially a petro Ford Fiesta and a diesel Ford Focus estate have been allocated to Ludlow.