Friday 22 May 2009
As the government issues its transport
guidance today Friday 22 May, NCB says that this is just the first
step in ensuring that all local and regional decision makers give
greater consideration to children and young people's transport
needs.
NCB believes that the guidance, which aims to support children's
trusts and transport planners to lift the barriers to children and
young people accessing leisure activities, makes progress but does
not go far enough in addressing the problems of high costs, safety
worries and lack of accessible provision.
NCB Deputy Chief Executive, Barbara Hearn, said: 'We would like
to see all children's trusts and local transport planners working
together to involve children and young people in making decisions
about transport and travel priorities in their area. Local
authorities need to think more clearly about transport for children
and young people across all aspects of their lives, and to consider
the positive impact that happier and healthier children and young
people have on the local community.'
Barbara continued: 'This guidance provides a way forward for
local authorities to start tackling an issue which has been sadly
ignored for so long.'
In 2008 only 21% of Travel Concession Authorities in England and
Wales offered some sort of concession to young people. As a result
those who are 16-17 and on a lower minimum wage, those young people
who live in isolated rural areas, and those in poverty, face even
more barriers to accessing public transport. NCB is now calling on
the government to do more to demonstrate the benefits of
concessionary fare schemes to local authorities and travel
providers.
-Ends-
For further information on NCB, please contact the NCB Media
Office:
Anna Tombs/Clare Quarrell/Clare Lilley on 0207 843
6045/6044/6047
Media Office Mobile - 07721 097033 or e-mail: media@ncb.org.uk
Notes to Editors
NCB's mission is to advance the well-being of all children and
young people across every aspect of their lives. As a membership
and infrastructure support agency for the children's sector in
England and Northern Ireland, NCB provides essential information on
policy, research and best practice for our members and the members
of our wide range of partnership bodies, which operate under our
charitable status and are based in our London headquarters. For
further information visit http://www.ncb.org.uk/