Press Release

Government watchdog calls for urgent new solutions for rural transport

15 September 2008

Today (Monday, September 15, 2008), the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) is publishing five studies putting the spotlight on transport  challenges facing rural areas, ranging from accessibility to key services, the effects of technological change and implications of road pricing. Rural people travel around 10,000 miles each year compared with around 7,000 for all residents, and use of cars is significantly higher in rural areas.  

Graham Russell Director of Practice at the CRC said: “Transport is a key concern for rural communities. With a continuing decline in local services, rural residents need to travel greater distances, and because of significant gaps in public transport much more of their travel is by car. What’s more, rising fuel prices are hitting rural areas hardest, especially less well-off households where a higher proportion of income goes on essentials including transport costs. Greater car use in rural areas also contributes to higher overall carbon production rate per person than in urban areas.  

“The studies we are publishing today provide a much-needed reminder of the critical transport challenges that face rural communities and the urgent need to find new solutions. More efficient and environmentally beneficial ways for rural people to move around in our rural areas now need to be found. Community collaboration must play a crucial part, and there are already excellent examples of initiatives taking place around the country some of which are highlighted in the studies.

“We are anxious for these studies to provide thought-provoking insight into the possibilities for the future of rural transport and to stimulate further interest and discussion - one of the studies, for example, suggests the possibility of ‘rural life without carbon’. We want to position transport at the heart of the debate on climate change and the creation of sustainable rural communities. As part of our continuing dialogue with policy-makers across government we will take forward these contributions to ensure that transport policies and practices take account of the needs of rural communities.”   

The series of studies or ‘think-pieces’ comprises:

‘The contribution of transport to sustainable rural communities’ - in collaboration with Transport Research Laboratory.
‘Sustainable rural accessibility’ - is it really possible? - in collaboration with Integrated Transport Planning.
‘Rural life without carbon’ - in collaboration with MVA Consultancy.
‘The implications of technological change for rural transport’ - in collaboration with University of West of England.
‘The potential impacts of road pricing on rural areas’ - in collaboration with Universities of Plymouth and Aberdeen.