Orpington shoppers will soon be able to hire wheelchairs and scooters to visit the shops and use the local facilities. The news follows the £2.2 improvement scheme to Orpington High Street and support from local MP Jo Johnson. Mobility retailer VTB Mobility Limited is planning to launch the new scheme next month, which will improve access for less able people.

"Mobility scooters are a great way to explore the new Orpington High Street and so I urge less able residents to join up to this excellent local shop mobility scheme" said Jo Johnson, MP for Orpington.

Shopmobility is a national scheme which lends manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and powered scooters to residents with limited mobility to shop and visit facilities within town centres. In order to use the scheme customers will be asked to register for a small fee. Once they have signed up, the wheelchairs, scooters and other equipment will be available to hire on a daily basis. It is not a requirement to be registered disabled to use the scheme.

 
"We have a busy and vibrant High Street with good shopping facilities and accessibility is a key component to improving the shopping experience. This new scheme will add more travel options within the High Street area" said Cheryl Curr, Orpington Town Centre Manager.

Orpington High Street underwent a successful £2.2 million improvement scheme last year and the completion was marked with a visit from the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. The scheme to enhance the public space in the town centre included a new restricted parking zone, the narrowing of the road to allow more space for pedestrians on the pavement, the installation of high quality coloured block paving and new street furniture. Orpington Library has also been improved and moved to the heart of the town centre and is set to open in late Spring.

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