Rural Transport
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
22 Jan 2024
‘Taxi Tax’ Threatens Rural Healthcare Access
In a move that could disproportionately affect rural communities across the UK, the proposed 20% VAT hike on private hire and minicab journeys – colloquially termed the ‘Taxi Tax’ –...
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16 Jan 2024
Debate on NHS Dentistry raises rural concerns
A debate in the House of Commons on 9th January raised concerns over the lack of NHS dentists available. It cited a Nuffield Trust report into the State of NHS...
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08 Jan 2024
RSN Seminar Programme open!
It’s time to get organised for 2024 and make some time in your diary to attend one of our rural focused seminars. Almost 550 of you attended an RSN seminar...
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08 Jan 2024
Solution for lack of pharmacies?
Two Universities are joining up to tackle the growing problem of a recruitment crisis in pharmacies in the South West. The BBC reports on how “the University of Bath is...
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11 Dec 2023
Rural Loneliness raised in Parliament
The Chair of the APPG for Rural Services, Derek Thomas MP, sponsored a Westminster Hall Debate on 5th December focusing on loneliness and isolation in elderly and vulnerable people. A...
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04 Dec 2023
Somerton & Frome MP reminds government of the real cost of the Rural Premium
The challenges facing rural areas have been repeatedly debated in Parliament this week. Alongside Chris Loder MP’s debate on funding for rural councils (read what happened here), Sarah Dyke MP...
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27 Nov 2023
Rural areas hardest hit by transport poverty
A new report by the Social Market Foundation has revealed the extent of the financial burden transport costs is putting on rural communities. The research carried out as part of...
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13 Nov 2023
Rural Lancashire communities to benefit from government grant to improve safety on buses
Specially trained officers will patrol buses and bus stations in Lancashire as part of a new pilot scheme to help stamp out anti-social behaviour on public transport. RSN member, Lancashire...
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30 Oct 2023
New survey shows 3 in 4 rural councils are rolling out ‘demand-responsive’ transport
A County Councils Network survey of England’s largest rural councils has revealed that three in four are rolling out demand-responsive transport (DRT) – a type of bus service that users...
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23 Oct 2023
CHIEF EXECUTIVE EDITORIAL: A roadmap out of isolation?
Transport and the potential economic fall out from decisions relating to HS2 have dominated recent headlines during the party conference period in a way that you wouldn’t have anticipated. Does...
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