England’s National Parks are being clogged up with cars because of “severe” cuts to rural bus services, a new report has warned.
The study, National Parks for all: Making car-free travel easier, has found more than nine out 10 families have to travel to the parks by cars because of poor bus services.
Responding to the report, Claire Haigh, Chief Executive of Greener Journeys, says: “This report highlights the damaging effects of sustained cuts to rural bus services.”
“Buses are the lifeblood of communities, helping people to connect to work, family and friends. Some 3.5 million people in the UK travel to work by bus, and these commuters generate more than £64 billion worth of goods and services per year.
“Recent research by Greener Journeys showed that a 10% improvement in local bus services is linked to a 3.6% reduction in social deprivation across England, taking into account employment, income, life expectancy and skills. We urge the Government to consider these findings when contemplating future investment in bus services.”
