Rural areas need better access to transport
A six month enquiry into the transport provision for rural areas by Wealden District Council’s Select Committee has led to a call for major service improvements.
Wealden’s Cabinet is asking East Sussex County Council to extend the Easylink Service to all rural communities in Wealden, and will be working in partnership with the County Council to draw up travel plans encouraging the use of public transport for all major developments taking place in the district.
Furthermore Wealden is calling for:
· RealTime information systems to be installed at all bus stops on the Brighton to Tunbridge Wells and Hailsham to Polegate bus routes.
· RealTime bus information to be provided on the internet for every bus stop in East Sussex.
· An investigation into the setting up of a Quality Bus Partnership between the County Council and the bus company to improve services.
· An investigation into the use of biofuels for Wealden District Council’s refuse and other vehicles.
“Transport is of vital importance in a large rural community like Wealden particularly as not everyone has the option of using a car,” said Councillor Keith Whitehead, Cabinet member for Planning and Development. “As a district council, we do not have a wide range of transport responsibilities but this excellent report by the Select Committee has reinforced the need for more partnership working on transport issues to help improve the quality of life for Wealden residents.”
“We were surprised by the lack of any comprehensive picture of the transport available across Wealden, “ said Cllr Jane Clark, who chaired the Select Committee. “Our chief concern was the access to transport in rural areas. People without access to a car find it very difficult getting to work, to leisure activities and medical facilities. The trend of moving doctors’ surgeries to the outskirts of the towns is adding to the difficulties.
“Sometimes there are services available, but they are reliant on volunteers, and not enough information is made available to the public.”
The council is working with other organisations involved in a number of transport initiatives including the study for restoring the Lewes–Uckfield rail link, campaigning for the dualling of the A 27 and the promotion of walking and cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Agenda & Minutes of Select Committee, Tuesday, 3rd April, 2007
