Public transport strategy

Audlem Parish Council has received the letter reproduced below regarding consultation on public transport services for Cheshire East.. The item will be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting due to be held on Monday 5th January and it would be helpful to receive comments and suggestions from residents in time for that meeting. Please send them directly to the Clerk, Mrs Jean White at parishclerk.jw@googlemail.com">parishclerk.jw@googlemail.com.

Dear Sir /Madam,

Public Transport Services

You may be aware that Cheshire County Council has a major role regards the provision of passenger transport services, including providing financial support to bus companies to operate services, producing publicity material, timetable information at bus stops and managing education transport services for pupils and students.

A programme of area based "route & branch" reviews of the public transport network is currently being carried out, with the review now focussed on rural areas to the south and east of Chester to include the villages of Malpas, Tattenhall and Tarvin and surrounding areas. The area of focus also includes nearby villages in Vale Royal and Crewe & Nantwich including Tarporley and Bunbury.

There are many examples of changing transport needs and trends amongst communities without local public transport services being modified to reflect these changes, which can result in some services being poorly used whilst other needs are not met. Within previous "route & branch" reviews it has been possible to divert financial resources to improve the quality and availability of services to closer reflect current needs. There are also examples of where replacing a conventional bus service with a door to door service operating on demand has proven to be more successful.

I would invite your council to give consideration to issues relating to public transport services in your area and provide me with any written comments or suggestions that you may have. It is important to ensure that expectations are realistic and acknowledge the context of maximising use of existing resources as opposed to additional resources being forthcoming.

Some parish or town councils may wish to consider providing some financial support to help strengthen a specific local public transport initiative for the benefit of its community, possibly raising this through a precept. Alternatively, there may be interest within the community to become more closely involved in helping to provide services, for example relating to community transport options.

I would be grateful to receive your written comments by 28th February 2009.

Yours sincerely

Neil Roberts
Operations Manager, Network Development, Flexible and Integrated Transport
Phone: 01244 973269
Email: neil.roberts@cheshire.gov.uk">neil.roberts@cheshire.gov.uk

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