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No
need to re-invent the wheel Rural
transport partnership initiatives
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If
you have concerns or ideas about transport issues in your area,
the key message is - don't assume that the perceived problem has
not or is not already being addressed!
Initiatives
for rural communities
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Gloucestershire's
Rural Transport Partnership aims to improve country bus
services |
The
best 'first call' is the Gloucestershire Rural Transport Partnership,
based within Gloucestershire County Council's environment department,
which has an overview of all the current local transport initiatives
for rural communities in the county.
It
is always keen to support new initiatives and has a lot of information
and advice about existing and past schemes including:
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Helping
fund research into the North Cotswolds Community Bus project,
resulting in interesting findings which could help improve
the service to local people.
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Paying
for the preparation of a business plan and funding strategy
for a Forest of Dean Dial-a-Ride scheme.
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Working
with the local parish council and a voluntary group 'Women
in Boots' in the village of Bisley. This paid for professional
research into the feasibility of a new, safer, footpath route
to encourage local people to leave their cars at home.
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Money
to pay for the transport of carers from Stroud District to
their support group in Gloucester .
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A
grant to pilot a bus service for the Three Villages Little
Green Bus between Cam, Coaley and Slimbridge in order to assess
the real level of demand.
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Funding
transport to bring members of the Chinese community living
in rural areas into Gloucester for weekly social and cultural
gatherings.
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Subsidising
the cost of coaches to bring young people from the rural areas
into Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre for a multi-arts performance.
Other
transport initiatives in the county include:
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Jumpstart
-Transport Brokerage
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Each district council has a Transport Working Group. Details
of the local groups can be passed on to interested parties.
Developing
the idea The
has brought together the
Countryside Agency, the County Council and the four rural district
councils, the Rural Community Council, Gloucestershire Network
and a wide range of other voluntary and private sector organisations.
Making
it happen The
partnership aims to enhance the quality of life for people living
and working in rural Gloucestershire by improving their access
to services, leisure activities and employment.
It
will work towards the long term fulfillment of people's transport
needs and aims to give equality of opportunity.
The
purpose of the Gloucestershire Rural Transport Partnership is
to address social exclusion in rural areas by developing additional
transport facilities, which have been identified in an Action
Plan.
Key
tips
-
Check
first with the County Council's Environment Department about
transport issues - it could be that your concerns are already
being addressed.
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Every
district council has a Transport Working Group which is worth
contacting.
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Ensure
all local organisations in your community are involved in
the process - initiatives which might seem right for parents
with young children may not always work for the elderly.
Funding
sources The
following funding sources have been of particular use to this
project. For
more information on funding contact Gloucestershire County Council's
Economic Development Unit on 01452 425702.
-
Countryside
Agency Parish Transport Grant Scheme
Offers grants of up to £10,000 to parish and town councils
for projects tackling their local transport problems. An application
form is available in the Agency's Vital Villages Action Pack.
Tel: 0870 3330170 (for Vital Villages information pack)
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Gloucestershire
Rural Transport Partnership
Grants
of up to 75% of eligible project costs are available. Smaller
grants of up to £2,500 are also available.
Tel: 01452 425761
See also:
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