A NEW Accessibility Plan that aims to improve access to jobs, learning, healthcare and shopping in Eden has been drawn up by Cumbria County Councillors.

The county council's Local Committee for Eden has approved the plan, which features specific actions to improve access for groups and individuals in the community, and it is to be submitted to the Department for Transport as part of the county's Local Transport Plan.

A number of local organisations have been involved with the initiative and some schemes, such as encouraging young people to use community buses and teaching them how to drive minibuses, are already underway.

The plan also includes details of promoting passenger transport to county council services, initiatives to encourage people to walk or cycle and support voluntary car schemes that are in place in the area.