VILLAGERS across Ryedale are being urged to apply for Government funding to help set up much-needed transport schemes.

Under a new Countryside Agency-backed plan, up to £10,000 is available to parish councils over a three-year period.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Murray Naylor said: "I am anxious that we do get the message across to people that there is assistance and resources available if parish councils are prepared to do some work.

"The Countryside Agency has got the resources to allow them to kick start the schemes."

Under the parish partnership schemes, residents form their own solutions to transport problems specific to their communities.

Coun Naylor said: "Elderly people in particular in our communities tend not to have their own transport. I want to encourage parish councils in the Ryedale division to come forward."

Richard Owens, passenger transport manager at North Yorkshire County Council, said support was already available to enable parishes to question residents on their needs.

He said: "The parish partnership is a Government initiative, channelled through the Countryside Agency, to get people more involved in solving their own transport problems.

"Every parish council has access to £10,000, with money aimed at very rural areas that maybe have no bus service."

Mr Owens said: "Parishes can get help to do a needs survey to find out what the problem is, then identify a solution.

"Parishes must contribute 25 per cent to the scheme, of which six per cent must be actual cash.

"The rest can be through donations in kind, such as time volunteered by drivers to operate the service."

Mr Owens said the parish partnership scheme was designed to target the individual needs of rural communities.

For details call Peter Oxley, transport partnership officer at Ryedale District Council, on 01653 600666.

Updated: 11:29 Saturday, January 05, 2002