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Golden Valley Environment Group Use and Improve Local Transport
Use of and the improvement to Local Transport was the focus of our October meeting. The discussion format was divided into three topics. 1. Community Transport Julie Archer, Manager of Dore Community Transport, spoke about her organisation's service, which was started in October 2000 with funding from Hereford Council. They purchased one vehicle with wheelchair access. This original vehicle has transported passengers over 200,000 miles in the 150 square miles area that they serve. They currently have 23 volunteers who drive two vehicles. Julie emphasized that they are not a taxi service. They provide transport service to the young, old, disabled, those not on a bus route, those who do not or cannot drive, and those who cannot afford to drive. Everyone is a potential passenger. The cost of the service is comparable to that of the regular bus fares. Despite their efforts to coordinate passengers' schedules, nearly one-third of Dore Community Transport's travel miles are "dead miles", meaning they are not carrying a passenger. All transport must be booked in advance. There is no financial criteria to be a passenger. To book call Jo Reeves, Transport Coordinator on 0845 2020 144 or 01981 551963. Monday to Friday 0900 to 1200. More details can be found on www.dore-ct.co.uk Several local Parish Councillors attended our meeting and contributed to the discussion concerning the importance of parish plans and their need to address local transport as a priority. Half of the parish councils give donations to Dore Community Transport. However, and unfortunately, in six months time, Herefordshire Council will stop their support of Dore Community Transport's oldest vehicle. Action Everyone: Spread the word! If we do not use and support Dore Community Transport, we will lose it! The same is true concerning our rural bus service! 2. Car Share twoshare is a Herefordshire Council car-sharing initiative. More and more people across Herefordshire and beyond are registering their journeys on twoshare. One in Three registered journeys now find a match! Wherever you live, wherever you're going, register your journey and see who is going your way. At the same time, reduce our county's carbon footprint and traffic congestion. Action Everyone: Register on www.twoshare.co.uk or call 0870 11 11 99. Again, spread the word! If we do not use and support local ransport, we will lose it! 3. Cycle Tracks Sustran is a charity which provides assistance and advise to county councils in development of cycle tracks. They own more bridges than anyone else in England. They have knowledge in many areas including insurance and engineering. Until recently, Herefordshire Council did not support Sustran so consequently our county has hardly any cycle tracks. Cycle tracks can be shared by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. With the development of cycle tracks, local businesses could profit by renting bikes, selling teas and food, providing B&B acommendations and more. Development costs approximately £100,000 to build one kilometer of cycle track. There are currently 70 schemes requesting funding. Hereford to Hay cycle tracks are listed tenth on the list. In order to obtain funding, we need to start at the local council and parish council level. It is critical to get all parishes to address local transport as a priority in their parish plans. Once transport is included in the parish plan, there is a better chance to receive funding for a feasibility study, which will address placement of cycle tracks and eventually application for grant money. Woolford near Ross-on-Wye has had success with this process and could be a good contact for us. Several Parish Councillors who attended our meeting, contributed to the discussion. Ewyas Harold, Abbey Dore and Bacton and Clifford parish councils are in support of cycle tracks and have addressed them in varying degrees within their parish plans. Kingstone and Madley are in the process of trying to extend existing cycle paths to allow local children to safely cycle to school. Our goal should be to get the local parishes to network and include transportation and cycle tracks as common projects. Actions GVEG Committee
Yummy rock cakes and flapjacks were enjoyed with the tea after the meeting. Minutes prepared by Sarah Morgan, 10 October 2008 Click here to return to top of this page.
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