Community transport scheme for Lairg to be set up after delivery of new car
A third community in Sutherland has received a community car.
The not-for-profit company Sutherland Resilience Initiative (SRI) has donated a new electric car to Lairg.
The organisation has previously provided cars to community groups in Brora and on the north coast.
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Members of Lairg Community Association (LCA) took delivery of the car in a short ceremony on Tuesday.
East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillor Richard Gale, who is a director of SRI along with the county’s other five councillors, said: “Lairg Community Association has accepted the car and will use it to help local people access vital services.
“Sutherland Resilience Initiative is delighted that its third community car will be used in and around the Lairg area.
“We wish the LCA every success as they launch their community transport service.”
The first two cars provided by SRI have been given to Brora Community Enterprises and the Farr North Community Development Trust.
A fourth vehicle is expected to be delivered to Scourie.
SRI was registered with Companies House in January and is independent of the Highland Council.
Local councillors decided to set up the company amid growing concern about depopulation, particularly in the north and north-west.
It was felt a lack of public transport was a major factor in depopulation.
SRI successfully applied for a £102,000 grant from the Coastal Communities Fund to cover the cost of the electric cars.
It is hoped that the scheme will be expanded to address other factors that are causing people to leave the county, such as a lack of housing and childcare.
