Bedfordshire accessibility strategy

On this page you can access Bedfordshire's Accessibility Strategy, which was produced along with the Local Transport Plan 2006/07 to 2010/11. To view the Accessibility Strategy, click on the links below. Please note that you require a PDF Reading software, e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader, to view this document (such software is installed as standard on most computers).

Below is further information on the concept of Accessibility Planning, and its role in delivering greater accessibility to services to areas with accessibility issues.

Background

In 2003 a report from the Social Exclusion Unit entitled 'Making the Connections' highlighted the importance of transport and accessibility to social inclusion. Improving access to opportunities to enable individuals and communities to realise their potential now forms part of cross-Government strategy. In particular making sure everyone can get to work, schools, healthcare and food shops have been identified as having the greatest impact, and improving access now lies at the heart of Government policies

Improving accessibility not only addresses social inclusion, but also helps to support economic regeneration, facilitate transition from welfare to work, reduce health inequalities and improve participation and attendance in education. All Local Authorities have a role to play in this through their influence on local policy, transport schemes and delivery, and land use and service planning.

It is also important that partner organisations and other local stakeholders are involved in considering improved access. Apart from raising awareness that access is not only and always about more transport provision, it aims to include them in developing, agreeing and implementing the final action plans.

The requirement

As a result we were required to produce an Accessibility strategy and local targets for accessibility improvements, for inclusion in our Local Transport Plan (LTP) in March 2006. The strategies had to be developed following Department of Transport guidance, they have produced in Accession, a computer software package provided to assist in this process.

The key requirements of a strategy are that:

• They should include visions and objectives for accessibility in the County, demonstrate how they link with, and are integrated within, the wider vision and objectives of the LTP and the County as whole.
• Emphasis should be on improving accessibility for all, but particularly for disadvantaged groups and areas.
• There should be a focus on access to the key issues identified as being critical to social inclusion these being employment, learning, health care and food shops, and others if found to be appropriate to the local area
• It should be based on an informed assessment of the accessibility needs and problems of the area.
• It should aim to produce and set out accessibility priorities within a five year period, with clear evidence as to how they result from the assessment.

The process

There is a five stage process recommended for undertaking accessibility planning, as follows:

• Strategic assessment;
• Local assessment, focused on priority areas, groups and issues;
• Option appraisal (including identification of resources);
• Accessibility action plan development; and
• Monitoring and evaluation

Position to date

In order to produce the Accessibility Strategy, local and strategic assessments have been completed along with option appraisals and a series of Action Plans. This has involved assembling the evidence base for access in the County. This included identifying and mapping information on local transport networks, location of key services and different groups of people. A review of transport related public involvement exercises, and knowledge of transport provision and service experience within the County Council has also been undertaken. A series of consultations and a workshop involving key partners was also key to progress on the Accessibility Strategy.

These processes have identified main accessibility issues and locations, partners who need to be engaged, and what key issues the Action Plans within the strategy should be focussed on.

Observations

From the information obtained to date some initial observations can be made. There is a reasonable network of commercial and supported public transport services in the County, covering most of the principal and key local road network. This provides linkages to and from most towns and villages and therefore access to the locations where key facilities are located. The work has highlighted that there are, however, likely to be some individuals and areas remote from the main road network with particular needs, or levels of disadvantage where travel needs cannot be met traditional public transport services and personal transport may not be an option. In addition travel outside of the peak periods can be a problem and with increasing choice, for example for healthcare and education, providing for travel to a wider range of locations, for fewer numbers of people will be a challenge.

Next steps

These observations have led to conclusions that further development of initiatives such as Demand Responsive Transport (e.g. the DART services), and other innovative solutions may be more relevant to meeting access needs than additions to the traditional public transport network. In addition more consideration should be given to reducing the need and distances to travel, by bringing services and facilities to those who require them, by strengthening land use planning policy and engaging service providers.

We are in the process of working with partners to explore the above issues and moving forward with delivering the action plans, resources, delivery partners and
monitoring schedules. If you or your organisation would like to be involved in such work, feel free to e-mail us on LTP@bedscc.gov.uk |with your contact details, and we will contact you as soon as possible.

If you would like more information on Accessibility Planning, or on the Accessibility Strategy, please feel free to e-mail us on LTP@bedscc.gov.uk|