MAP swot analysis T2

Are bus and train times from outlying villages to the town convenient for people going to/from work and school?

Yes – more difficult for Offham

Y

Summary – newer developments E.G. Kings Hill; and Leybourne well served

Y

Where are the gaps in the rural transport services where demand exists?

Lack of easily obtained information on bus routes and timetables

Y Y

Summary Rural Transport services not joined up

Y Y

Is public transport accessible to the less able?

Yes

Y

Is information on public transport easy to obtain?

Not without investigation, knowing where to look and knowing that services and routes are available

Y

Summary Need for an integrated travel guide

Y

Do public transport services, including special services such as Dial-A-Ride, need to be more widely advertised or more actively promoted? Mereworth = Yes

Y Y

Offham Yes if they exist

Y

SUMMARY – clearly a need for better advertising

Y

Is there a need to relocate bus stops to bring them closer to the town centre? Mereworth & Offham No Y

SUMMARY – Malling & Surrounding Villages are small and centralised so no great need for bus relocation Y

How easy is it to get to health, education, cultural and retail services from outlying villages by public transport rather than by car? Mereworth = With the exception of the ‘airfield estate’ it is difficult. Poor bus service to centre and upper village Offham Not at all easy Y

Y Y

SUMMARY = relatively easy for most of population via rail and bus and two hourly bus services to hospital

Y Y

In which parts of the area is access to services a problem?

Mereworth Butchers Lane, Beech Road Y

Y

Y

Offham Small outlying villages Y

Y

Y

SUMMARY – Not a problem for the majority of the population Y

Y

How easy it is to access electronic information about public services rather than having to physically travel to get it?

Mereworth Easy if you have Internet access, not everyone has this facility in the village. Y

Y Y

Offham Ok for PC users Y

Y Y

SUMMARY = only “INTERNET CAFÉ” is West Malling Library so not easy without owning a PC and having Broadband Y

Y Y

Are mobile services able to replace the need for people to travel?

Mereworth Not entirely

Offham To a certain extent

Y

SUMMARY = For the majority there is adequate access, a number of mobile services.

Y