Rural areas face ‘transport poverty’

PEOPLE living in rural parts of Yorkshire are increasingly finding it difficult to access essential goods and services because of spiralling fuel and transport costs, a charity is warning.

In a report published today, transport charity Sustrans, warns increasing numbers are suffering from what it calls “transport poverty” with many in the region facing being cut off from society because of rising fuel costs and poor access to bus routes and other alternate means of transport.

Its research shows residents in Hambleton, North Yorkshire, are the worst affected, with 32 per cent of people at serious risk of being unable to afford to access essential goods and services. In Ryedale, the charity says 31 per cent are at risk, in North Lincolnshire 15 per cent and in Richmondshire 10 per cent.

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However, the problem is not confined to rural areas, with eight per cent of Doncaster residents struggling with the costs of getting around.

A spokesman for Sustrans said: “Funding is being cut and that’s obviously having a huge effect, there are not the bus and rail services available and that means that they are forced into owning a car and obviously as the cuts increase that is going to have more and more effect.”

The charity wants to see more investment in public transport and safe walking and cycling routes to ensure there is an alternative to costly car journeys.

High prices at the pumps are having an impact on rural communities, where people often having fewer options to get about. The Yorkshire Post is campaigning for a fuel discount to be offered to rural motorists as part of its Give us a Fair Deal campaign.

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Job-seekers can find it difficult to get work if they cannot access transport. However it is not just spiralling costs that cause transport poverty - those who lack access because of age, disability or where they live, are also hit hard.

David Hall, Sustrans regional director for Yorkshire, said: “We need a transport system that works for everyone – not one designed to best suit those who can afford a car.”

Sustrans looked at communities across the country, studying those where a significant portion live over a mile from a bus stop or train station; where it would take longer than an hour to walk to essential goods and services and low income households to reach its findings.

Last night a spokeswoman for Age UK, said it was concerned cuts to bus services were leaving the elderly isolated.

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In Richmondshire, one of the areas highlighted by Sustrans in its report, Age UK is trying to reinstate a vital rural taxi service. If it can get funding taxi vouchers would be issued to help vulnerable residents get about.

A Department for Transport (DfT) spokeswoman said last night: “We recognise the importance of good local transport networks in helping people to access work, training and essential services no matter where they live.

It said its Local Sustainable Transport Fund has delivered £600m nationally for local transport schemes which help to boost growth and cut carbon including ones in the Yorkshire and Humber region. In addition it has invested £20m in developing community transport, as well as supporting the Wheels to Work scheme.

“We also understand motorists’ concerns about fuel prices and we welcome the Office of Fair Trading (OFT’s) decision this month to review pump prices in the UK petrol and diesel sector,” the DfT spokeswoman added.