Community Strategy Priorities Travel and Access

You said: The county is easy to get about, but we need to get the balance between road improvements and public transport right. We also need to make services accessible and affordable

Travel and access - Travelling easily and safely and being able to access all the services people need.

• safe parking, improved access to facilities and places of worship, and transport that is co-ordinated between the city and county are important to people who live in the conurbation. Good quality public transport for people with a disability and, particularly, access to stations are also important to people with access problems
• young people tell us that transport - both its availability and cost - are major issues which stop them accessing services. They do not want to have to rely on parents giving them a lift, they want good quality, reliable public transport
• older people also feel that quality, reliable and affordable transport is crucial for accessing services including recreation, health and hospitals, education, training and employment
• transport is particularly important for people living in rural areas and it was felt that responsive travel options, including community transport projects, catering for specific needs were necessary
• the links between transport options and regeneration are strongly emphasised and there is criticism of the adequacy and maintenance of current roads by some business representatives and of bus services by parish councils
• this priority includes access to sports and leisure facilities, cultural and social activities as well as health, employment, information, advice and financial services
• affordable, decent housing is vital to your wellbeing, and many of you from across all areas of the county want better housing for everyone, but particularly for young people and families. Empty homes are seen as a continuing problem that needs attention
• people living in some more rural parts of the county are not able to access certain services and affordable housing was felt to be a particularly important issue; public transport is felt to be less than perfect, not convenient for many villages or too expensive for many people to use.

We know:

Rates of travel to work by public transport are lower than nationally by 2.5 per cent, though substantially higher in Gedling.

That in 2004/05 29.2 million journeys were made on local buses and in rural areas, 52 per cent of the population live within a ten minute walk of a frequent bus service.

'The condition of the main roads across Nottinghamshire is the 4th best in the country.'

That in 2003/04 29 per cent of journeys to school were taken by car. Improving accessibility is already underway as part of the county’s transport planning process in conjunction with all partners.

Average incomes in the county are lower than in the region and nationally. Wage rates are also relatively low. Conversely, there are parts of the county where incomes are in excess of the regional rates and, in the case of Rushcliffe, even the national rate.

'Access to support services that help people to maintain their own homes can prevent homelessness.'

In terms of house prices, Ashfield and Mansfield have prices that are well below other parts of the county as well as substantially below the regional and national averages. On the other hand, the average house price in Rushcliffe exceeds the national average.

In 2003/04 195,000 young people aged 13-19 went to events organised by the youth service.

The condition of the main roads across Nottinghamshire is the 4th best in the country.

Access to support services that help people to maintain their own homes can prevent homelessness and the need for more intensive support and care services; ensuring that new housing provides accessible accommodation that caters for people's changing needs and provides 'homes for life' should inform development plans.