Breadcrumbs
A new boost for rural transport - 20 July 2000
Commenting on the Government’s ten year plan published today,
Countryside Agency chief executive Richard Wakeford warmly welcomed
the Deputy Prime Minister’s commitment to long-term core funding
for bus and community transport services in rural
areas.
“We look forward to working with Government in delivering these
projects through out Rural Transport Partnerships (RTPs) throughout
rural England during the next three years.
“The target of a one-third increase in the proportion of rural
households living within ten minutes walk of an hourly or better
bus service by 2010 and the extension of the rural bus subsidy
grant to market towns, together with the new market towns
initiative announced on Tuesday (18 July), will help breathe new
life into rural areas.
“Community transport has a crucial role to play in overcoming
travel difficulties for a broad range of people living and working
in more remote communities. The proposal to extend fuel duty rebate
and relax regulatory constraints on community transport is urgently
needed to help deliver more flexible transport at the very local
level.
“The proposed 50 bypass schemes to take through traffic out of some
of the worst affected rural towns and villages will need to be
carefully assessed using the new approach to appraisal (NATA) to
ensure the environmental and economic impact is fully recognised.”
-ends-
Note to editors:
For further information please contact Isobel Coy or Julia Cropley
on
020 7340 2906 / 2909 or out of hours) mobile no: 0385 975 398
The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and
taking action on issues relating to the social, economic and
environmental well-being of the English countryside.
The Countryside Agency’s Rural Transport Partnership(RTP) scheme
promotes social inclusion by bringing local authorities, health and
employment bodies, the voluntary sector and transport interests
together to secure sustainable transport improvements in their
operating area.
Now in its third year, with a current annual budget of £4.2 million
in England, projects under development include ‘wheels to work’,
‘dial-a-rides’ and ‘rural car clubs’ .
67 rural transport partnerships have already been
established.
The following counties have not yet established RTPs :- Kent,
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Cornwall and the Isle of
Wight.
