THE fear of Somerset Council forcing car parking charges on Wiveliscombe has partly driven a move out of the town by community transport charity Wivey Links.

The charity is relocating next month from its long-term headquarters in the town centre to a farm business park in Ford, nearly a mile-and-a-half outside Wiveliscombe on the B3188 road.

It will operate instead from Higher Ford Farm, which offers self-contained office suites in converted farm buildings, starting on February 13.

The new office will allow the continued smooth running of the service, with room for the team of staff and volunteers who take bookings on the telephone lines between 9.30 am and 1 pm on weekdays, and parking spaces for the charity’s five vehicles.

Wivey Link members can continue to pay their invoices in person at the new office, over the telephone, or via a link in their email.

A spokesperson said: “Based at the Community Office since the charity began, Wivey Link Community Transport has seen the town change and develop over the years.

“Concerns over future parking costs in Wiveliscombe, as well as rising costs for charities, led the charity to review its services and costs.

“If parking charges in Wiveliscombe come in, the cost for our five cars and those of our volunteer drivers each day would be prohibitive.

“The move safeguards the charity against these costs in the future, as well as freeing up spaces in the ever-popular Croft Way car park for the growing population of the town.

“We have enjoyed being a part of the town’s activities, from storing the Christmas lights, hosting local charities, managing the library, and being a hub for local information.

“We have worked closely with the town council and local events and we will continue to do so from our new offices.

“As with so many charities, we have to adapt to secure the future of the charity.

“We look forward to serving the community for many years to come from our new home in Ford.”

The new office at Higher Ford Farm will provide parking for the charity’s wheelchair accessible cars which cover the 10 Parishes and taking residents to social, medical, and shopping trips as far away as Taunton and Dulverton.

Wivey Links acquired a new vehicle last November with a grant from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund which allowed it to expand its operational area.

The charity now covers an area from Uffculme and Willand in the Culm Valley to the Quantock Hills to the West Somerset coast and southern Exmoor.

Last year, its drivers completed more than 6,680 journeys covering more than 56,600 miles across Wiveliscombe and the 10 Parishes.

The iconic fleet of red vehicles helps combat rural isolation by way of a membership taxi service where people can become members for an annual fee starting at £25, and journeys costing £1.60 a mile.

Wivey Link saw 97 new passengers join the scheme last year and 10 new drivers were trained and on the road, volunteering to help their community.