Rural Services - Transport
Policy Position Paper
Rural communities need affordable transport solutions that deliver services to places and at times communities need. These solutions are best when they are developed by the community, often in partnership with a range of providers. view here |
Transport and access to services are key issues for many individuals and communities in rural areas. It is widely perceived as one of the greatest threats facing rural inhabitants. However, the Rural Community Action Network employs specialists working for RCAN members and run a great many local schemes in communities across the country. Examples of community transport schemes include:
- Education and training
- Volunteer car schemes
- Community minibus schemes
- Taxi buses
- Wheels to Work schemes
- Community Rail Partnerships
The need for transport is an inevitable consequence of living in rural areas if people are to access a range of services located locating in neighbouring towns and further afield.
The evidence shows that the amount of car use in rural areas and the rest of the country is unsustainable and must fall. To minimise carbon emissions we must minimise the need to travel wherever possible, reduce car-reliant travel and improve public and community transport schemes that provide services that match communities’ needs and provide viable long term travel solutions. There are a number of tested solutions across different forms of transport, buses, car-based, taxis, rail and integrated or mixed transport.
ACRE supports the development of a range of transport solutions including community-led activity that leads to affordable initiatives delivered by the private and public and community sectors. Below are description of the type of schemes that are taking place and the work the RCAN members are undertaking in rural England.
RCAN members and Economic well-being
The Commission for Rural Communities has just published Understanding Economic Wellbeing to promote understanding and commitment to economic well-being in rural England. The publication explains economic well-being and its relevance to communities, public policy makers and service delivery organisations. It identifies some critical success factors for those interested in promoting or participating in economic well-being projects and lists 13 good practice case studies
Two of the featured projects are delivered by RCAN members:
Oxfordshire Village Shops Development Worker Scheme, run by Oxfordshire RCC view
Oxfordshire’s response to closures of village shops and post offices is to set up a Village Shops Development Worker Scheme, which has been running since 1999, giving advice and support both to independently-owned village shops and shops run by members of the community.
Shropshire Wheels to Work which has been delivered by Shropshire RCC view
Wheels to Work is an innovative transport solution scheme that aims to break the vicious cycle of ‘no job, no money, no vehicle, no job’ which disadvantages many rural people by giving individuals their own transport to employment or training.
Examples of the work of RCAN members on Transport and Access
Volunteer car schemes
A Voluntary Car / Good Neighbour Scheme is part of a "safety net" of care and support provided by members of a local community to the people who live in their area. The scheme is normally managed by a committee, made up of volunteers. In some cases day to day administration may be given to a paid co-coordinator. The service or services are all provided by volunteers from the local community.
Humber & Wolds Voluntary Car Service - The service uses volunteer drivers, who use their own cars, to take individual passengers on journeys to destinations of their choice, both within and beyond North Lincolnshire, e.g. hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, local shops, community group meetings, day centres, residential homes, etc. Read more at Humber & Wolds Voluntary Car Service
Wheels to Work schemes
Lack of transport can be a major barrier to people living in rural areas. Young people especially can be faced with the situation where without a job they cannot afford to buy a vehicle and without a vehicle of their own they cannot travel to work or training. This group especially benefits from Wheels to Work schemes run by RCAN members across the country. Wheels to Work is about more than simply providing transport. It can encourage and help those most in need make choices about their future, and improve their employability and skills base.
Community Council of Shropshire (Shropshire Wheels to Work) - The purpose of the scheme is to improve access to employment and work-based training for Shropshire residents. Read more at Shropshire Wheels to Work
Community Rail Partnerships
Community rail partnerships are a link between the railway and local communities. They aim to bring about positive development in a local area along the path of the railway. The Partnerships aim to increase local use of rail, improve local services and bring about better station facilities. The work of the Partnerships emphasizes the railway and its relevance to the community through improving bus links to stations, developing walking and cycling routes and bringing station buildings back to life. Many Community Rail Partnerships have provided facilities for art and education projects in old station buildings and increased facilities and accessibility for those people in need.
Action with Communities in Rural Kent (The Kent Community Rail Partnership) – The Partnership exists to bring together widely varied partners in order to bring social, economic and environmental benefits to the communities served by rural and secondary rail services Kent Community Rail Partnership
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