UK: MPs’ fears over rural transport

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UK: MPs’ fears over rural transport

By Ian Clarke

Norfolk Eastern Daily Press, July 4, 2003

UK - A group of Norfolk MPs yesterday united to press for urgent action to tackle a funding crisis which could force lifeline community transport schemes to shut.

Services which help some of the most vulnerable people in rural areas are in jeopardy because of "criminal neglect," "mismanagement" and "under funding".

The EDP first reported last month about the "timebomb about to explode" as three-year funding for schemes such as dial-a-ride expires.

The existing projects were funded by the Government through the Countryside Agency and £1.2m has been secured since 2001.

But they cannot apply for renewed funding when the three-year period is up and there is no other guaranteed money.

Yesterday, Norfolk Conservative MPs Gillian Shephard, Keith Simpson and Richard Bacon, along with North Norfolk Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb, met with representatives of the Community Transport Association and agreed to pressure ministers and officials.

Mrs Shephard will ask the environment select committee for a short inquiry, Mr Lamb has applied for an adjournment debate in the Commons, Mr Bacon has written to the National Audit Office and also the Public Accounts Committee.

Mrs Shephard, MP for South West Norfolk, said: "We were told there was a real nationwide problem. Rural communities like Norfolk were under-funded by government grant and it is now very difficult for county councils to pick up when funding runs out."

She said there were award-winning schemes in Norfolk – providing a lifeline for elderly and disabled – which could have to shut down.

"It is not good enough. We are calling on the Transport Secretary to exercise leadership. The people affected are the least well off in our communities. It is criminal neglect," she said.

South Norfolk MP Mr Bacon, a member of the public accounts committee, said there was a funding crisis at the Countryside Agency.

"It appears that overspending and lack of financial control in the Agency is having a severe impact on rural transport," he said.

"It is wrong that those in rural areas, especially elderly people who have no other means of transport, should be made to suffer because of mismanagement on other programmes."

Mr Bacon said the crisis seemed to have arisen because of serious over-spending by the Countryside Agency on the "Right to Roam" legislation.

He said the problems with community transport tied in with the on-going A47 debate, as fewer schemes would force more cars on to the road.