How to fix the rural transport 'deserts' that block millions from work, education and healthcare

Rural transport “deserts” - areas with little to no public transport - are blocking millions of people from accessing health services, education and employment opportunities.

However, experts from the University of Hertfordshire and sub-national transport body Transport East, are working together to identify and promote a number of opportunities to improve rural mobility, enhancing the quality of life for these communities across the nation.

A series of meetings, run by the University's Smart Mobility Unit and supported by Transport East, brought together key experts in rural mobility to see how improved transport might help tackle pressing social challenges facing the country, such as social exclusion and the climate emergency.

These roundtables and symposia, which included local authorities, charities, businesses and transport providers, and examined evidence from across the country, have showcased practical projects that improve rural transport and have suggested ways such projects could be spread to other areas. The evidence gathered so far has also been shared with government policy makers to influence decision making.

The changes could positively affect the 10 million people who live in rural and coastal areas across the UK, according to government figures.

In particular, the research highlighted:

• improved public transport - places like Cornwall and parts of Wales have been developing integrated public transport networks with rail stations being turned into transport hubs, new trains on rural branch lines, better and cheaper bus services and demand-responsive "taxibus" schemes;
• improved leisure travel - places like Snowdonia and individual attractions like Blenheim Palace have been managing car traffic and providing good alternatives including public transport and active travel links;
• mobility hubs - bringing together in one place different transport options like public transport, electric bike hire and electric car charging points;
• better transport for new housing, with good public transport and local services that people can walk to from day one.

The researchers say that new funding and powers could make such projects widespread and urge the new Government to consider the needs of people in rural communities when developing transport, planning and devolution plans, such as the Government's planned bus and rail reforms. Under new legislation, local authorities will have more powers to take control of bus services and most rail services are expected to be renationalised within the next five years.

Compared with urban transport, there has been little research conducted into rural transport and the opportunities that improvements present.

Professor Stephen Joseph OBE from the University of Hertfordshire said:

"Our work has highlighted the real transport problems in rural areas, with limited or no bus services or even taxis, so people are forced to rely on cars even though running one is very costly for many households. But we've also found examples of good projects which, with the right funding and support, could give people new options in getting about.

“We also have heard that new housing can and should be designed so as to build in public transport, active travel and local services from day one, to avoid generating extra road congestion and social exclusion.”

Sharon Payne, Regional Rural Mobility Manager from Transport East said:

“Better connecting rural communities could reduce costs to the NHS and benefits system. It can also benefit the nation’s prosperity by providing these communities with more choices for education and work opportunities. This is the benefit of working with partners.

As the roundtables demonstrated, partnership working provides a fantastic opportunity to share localised solutions which can be replicated across the country, helping to solve these complex issues and take the opportunity to dramatically change people’s lives for the better.”

Professor Joseph concluded: "We will continue these roundtables and identify further projects that others can learn from to improve rural transport. We'll be seeking to work with local and national Government to make such projects the norm rather than the exception and use student projects to find out more about them.