We are petitioning the Elected Members and Officers of Somerset County Council to:
1. Undertake a review and evaluation, based on quantitative and qualitative research of the transport needs of Somerset’s urban and rural communities
2. From the outcomes of the review to plan and develop imaginative and innovative solutions to a 21st century problem, to meet the needs of the diverse rural and urban communities
3. To undertake a financial review to support a socially and environmentally sustainable transport system, which is financially sound, supported by a County precept.
There is a clear community desire and need for a sustainable and integrated public transport system to enable people to have access to education, adult education, employment, services, opportunities, enable independence, maintain social contacts and to fully participate within the local and wider community.
The public transport provisions are insufficient due to; limited or no accessibility, limited services particularly on evenings and weekends, many areas having no access to a bus services on Sundays and during holiday periods and some experiencing reduced services during non-term times.
This leaves communities isolated and adversely impacting on their health as many are incapable of accessing emergency health care on evenings and weekends which creates strain on our NHS. This also restricts access to employment opportunities as many retailers, care providers and other employers expect evening and Sunday working.
It takes 3 hours one-way for persons residing in Chard to access South Petherton Hospital, 6 hours for a round trip. South Petherton is just under 12.5 miles from Chard.
A one-way journey to South Petherton Hospital from Ilton takes 5 hours one way, with no direct or interlinking return. A bus however will enable a person to get to Ilminster followed by a 56-minute walk, to a person of good health, considerably longer for a disabled person.
Somerset public transport provision are not in line with other county’s such as Devon and Cornwall whom have bus services running regularly, at shorter intervals, on evenings, weekends and during holiday periods.
