POOR TRANSPORT EXACERBATES SOCIAL EXCLUSION (27/05/02)

Conservatives on Somerset County Council are worried that the county’s poor transport infrastructure is making life hard for deprived communities.

A report by the Social Exclusion Unit reveals that transport problems are a barrier to social inclusion.[1]

It makes a number of suggestions, which include; providing jobseekers with better information on travel; focusing transport routes more sharply on schools and colleges.

Conservative County Councillor for Minehead, Colin Hill, said, ‘West Somerset does not have good transport links with the rest of Somerset. This report confirms what we on the ground have known for a long time.

‘In poorer areas, good public transport is vital. The A358 and A39 must be improved in order to aid West Somerset residents.

‘There are many students who cannot attend colleges in central Somerset, due to the expense of travel. This is not an acceptable position to be in.

‘What is more, without adequate transport, those looking for work, cannot get into the busy towns in order to find it. Once they do secure employment, getting to work becomes an issue.

‘Minehead relies on tourism. Tourism and transport are inevitably linked. When transport fails, it has a knock-on effect for our tourism industry. Now the Government have recognised our plight, I hope they do something positive to relieve it.’

[1] Social Exclusion Unit’s interim report, Making the Connections: transport and social exclusion
Findings of report:
· 47% 16-18 year old students find it difficult to meet their transport costs
· 38% jobseekers say transport is a barrier to getting a job
· 17% people find it difficult to travel to hospital
· 44% of women and 19% of men feel unsafe waiting at the bus stop after dark