Rural issues UK

Action Ideas

 * Campaigning to save local shops and services
 * Cittaslow
 * Community Transport schemes
 * Community shops, pubs and cafes
 * Rural heritage centres

Why it matters
(article needed)

Consultations

 * National inquiry to explore the opportunities and challenges for rural councillors and what stands in the way of them doing more to help rural people have greater influence over local decisions. Launched 6 February 2007. The deadline for sending in views is Friday 18 May 2007. Commission for Rural Communities / Community involvement UK

Resources

 * Taxi Voucher Toolkit from The Countryside Agency. Information and pointers to help local groups set up a simple and effective scheme in response to specific transport needs. Can be downloaded via the Countryside Agency website
 * State of the Countryside 2020, Environment Agency Report, available via the Natural Engand website
 * The state of the countryside 2005, The Countryside Agency, available via the Natural Engand website

Random facts

 * 79% (UK) of respondents said they visited the countryside for leisure purposes at least a few times a year or more frequently. 19% said they visited once a week, 10% once a fortnight, 16% once a month, 9% once a quarter, 25% said a few times a year. 8% said they never visited the countryside, 8% said less than once a year, 4% only once a year. Source: CPRE

Related topics

 * Sustainability networks, general article, including action ideas, within the Ideas Bank
 * Biodiversity
 * Community pubs week UK
 * Local needs met locally
 * Seasonal UK
 * Spatial planning
 * Understanding the need for new housing across England
 * Urban & village design

UK links

 * Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)
 * Natural England
 * Action with Communities in Rural England
 * Village Retail Services AssociationHelping villages to keep their Shop and Post Office
 * Rural Shops Alliance
 * Ruralnet | Online Rural development community, part of the Networks Online group of extranets
 * Commission for Rural Communities, sometimes referred to by its website address - www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk
 * VillageCarShare.com
 * Rural Affairs - Information from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (government)
 * Affordable rural housing, information from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (government)