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RURAL REVIEW

25th December 1964
Page 20
Page 20, 25th December 1964 — RURAL REVIEW
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

From a Special Correspondent

THERE is seemingly an increasing tendency to over-simplify the rural transport issue. Blame for falling traffic is placed firmly on personal transport, and operators with rural services regard them as so many dead ducks.

But a survey along the lines of that carried out by the West Midland Social and Political Research Unit of Birmingham University, and summarized in the December number of "Rural District Review ", could provide the operator with much-needed data on future demand and prove invaluable subsidy issues.

The survey area was roughly that covered by the North Cotswold R.D.C. and the information collected included the number of people travelling to work outside the district; what happens to the school leavers; employment opportunities in the area, and future prospects. By using data provided by the 1961 census the Unit ascertained the structure, occupations, working women, educational attainments and migration. Profiles were made characterizing every village and district from which it was possible to arrive at figures for ageing and depopulation, and estimates were made of the future working popuilption by an analysis

of the under-I5s. The survey showed that the biggest loss of population occurred in the smaller upland villages.

In some areas considerable concentrations of workpeople in their late forties and early fifties were recorded, indicating that by 1975 there would be a substantial rise in the retired population. The Unit urges the movement of selected types of industry into rural areas and the building of more houses to rent in the larger and developing villages. , Obviously, no amount of such data can make an uneconomic service profitable. but by knowing something of future population movements and where concentrations of old people and school children are likely to remain, an operator can plan ahead. Similarly, thought can be given to re-routeing services, eliminating the thin sections and concentrating on villages where growth is likely or where potential traffic exists. Certainly the social scientist could prove a valuable friend to the bus operator in the difficult years that lie ahead.


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