Transport and Accessibility

Our Vision: 

Transport and Accessibility (including rural accessibility) is a cross-cutting issue for Bassetlaw – the Transport and Accessibility Sub-Group therefore recognises that it is an issue which will appear within the plans of the other BLSP Sub-Groups as appropriate.

  Improved accessibility for rural communities, especially to basic services and life opportunities is a key priority given the low levels of accessibility, high levels of long-term ill-health and pockets of deprivation within Bassetlaw. Previous approaches to influence the main providers of public transport have proved problematic, due to the districts geographical position on the borders of South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

The district covers approximately one third of the county with Service delivery in rural areas is heavily influenced by the ability to access services and facilities. 41.7% (Census 2001) of Bassetlaw’s population live outside the main centres of Worksop and Retford in 73 villages, served by 45 parish councils and 10 parish meetings. The rural communities are very diverse ranging from small market towns and former mining communities, to very small hamlets. Following on from the Census 2001, within Defra’s Rural-Urban Definition 2004, the district was classified as a Rural 50 district, which indicates that between 50-80% of the population lives in rural areas.

The Sub-Group leads on the monitoring and development of the Transport to Health project, which is a pilot scheme for the County and commenced in August 2007.  In addition, partners aim to maintain existing transport and accessibility services and where possible develop new service provision e.g. Community Car Schemes; Community Mini-bus provision; rural access to key services via video-conferencing facilities/outreach provision.  A final key issue is completing regular analysis of services available to identify and address gaps in provision

  In relation to priorities, it should be noted that the Notts LAA also makes a commitment to reduce congestion as measured by the average journey time per mile during the morning peak (NI 167).  The BLSP does not currently regard congestion as a priority issue for Bassetlaw as this indicator only covers the conurbation districts, as it is a mandatory measure as part of the Greater Nottingham Local Transport Plan (City, Broxtowe, Rushcliffe, Gedling, Hucknall part of Ashfield). There is no such requirement for the North Notts Local Transport Plan (Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Ashfield minus Hucknall, N&S) as these are not deemed to be urban enough.