A report on rural communities co-authored by a Bristol-based partner at regional law firm Foot Anstey has called for a new approach to transport and mobility to those in urban areas.
Called The 30-minute rural community, the research by Foot Anstey and global consulting firm WSP shows that many rural areas have been ‘left behind’ because of poor transport links. 
The report examines the challenges around rural mobility and the opportunities to create more productive, greener, healthier, quieter and safer communities.
Foot Anstey partner and head of energy and mobility Chris Pritchett, and Giles Perkins, head of future mobility at WSP, found that many rural communities have experienced a reduction in essential services in recent decades – including transport provision – leaving them dependent on cars.
This dependency can limit social and economic development as those who do not drive are left unable to easily access healthcare, education, employment, leisure activities or social interaction opportunities.
And though around 12m people in the UK live in rural areas, the report highlights the lack of focus on mobility for these communities to date and sets out where the opportunities lie for investment.
The report comes at a time when rural living has become increasingly desirable due to the fresh opportunities for remote working due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 
To achieve the ‘30-minute rural community’ concept approach, the report recommends three key areas of focus:
- Improving the baseline level of social and community infrastructure in rural communities to provide everyday services, such as pharmacies, local good deliveries, etc., and promote using clusters of settlements working together as an ecosystem,
- Using existing local leadership or social groups to deliver meaningful change, such as parish councils, community energy organisations or community land trusts,
- Where services cannot be provided locally, improving physical and digital access and energy provision to make it easier, quicker and more sustainable to access those services in local market towns and cities.
The report’s authors believe that through this three-pronged approach of dispersed healthcare, retail, education and leisure facilities could be connected as a network of facilities, rather than individual outlets.
Moreover, they believe one answer may lie in undertaking joined-up planning to find solutions to improve access to amenities we all depend upon.
Chris Pritchett, pictured, said: “The conversation has changed from assuming people want to be hypermobile all the time. Now, it’s about accessibility – to goods, services and opportunities, underpinned by a sense of community. This report helps us identify key factors that need to be improved and addressed.”
Giles Perkins added: “Rural communities across the UK face distinctly different challenges to those in urban areas and for too long has this been forgotten. This report helps us think differently about the uniqueness of these places and be creative in how we improve mobility and transport.”
Foot Anstey also has offices in Exeter, London, Plymouth, Southampton, Taunton and Truro.
