The lack of major roads and low traffic flow in the parish were seen as an advantage to the area by 72% of respondents, with only 2% seeing this as a disadvantage (Q.4).
Getting around...
Although 35 households have no vehicle, 28 properties own 3 or more. Use of private cars is high, with 184 households having between them 294 cars or vans and 14 motorcycles (Q.33). 60% of people rely on these cars or vans to get to their work or study place (Q.13).
' Buses only serve the village centre. Some people live 3 or 4 miles from the village '
There is some car sharing, with 166 people driving themselves, but only 54 passengers. Only 18 people walk or cycle, while only 18 take thee bus to their work or study centre (Q.13). While 296 people rely on private cars to do their weekly shopping, only 7 use the bus service and only 35 walk to shops (Q.14).
' I work in the village during the week and use the car for shopping and evening class: it is inconceivable that I could use the bus for this because of the timing '
59% of people would like to see greater variety of shops in village, which may reduce the number of shopping journeys m by car (Q.17). If the bus service were improved, it would receive occasional use by well over 100 people, particularly for leisure and shopping although there was significant resistance to using public instead private transport (Q.15).
' The stations are too far away '
The Parish Council could explore the possibility of purchasing a community mini-bus which could be used by local organisations and to transport people to neighbouring towns and villages or to hospital.
A computerised car-sharing scheme should be established so that more sharing could be arranged.
Recommendations
There is a need for an improved bus service in the parish, particularly for those households without private transport. The Parish Council should determine where these people live, where they want to travel and when, and present results to the Devon County Council Transportation Centre. Additional information on transport needs should be sought from the whole parish.
A safe route into the village and round the Square should be provided for those disabled residents using electric wheelchairs.
' I use my pedal cycle '
Use of cycles could be encouraged by the provision of safer routes for cyclists.
This could be achieved by certain routes being marked with 'Caution Cyclists' notices, the creation of marked cycle lanes and by lower speed limits. Particularly hazardous junctions, such as that at Bradworthy Mill, need traffic calming measures or changes to road markings. Advice on such changes should be sought from local cyclists, Sustrans Cycle Network and the Council Highways Department.
' After 4pm there is no bus '
A cycle rack should be obtained from the Torridge Agenda 21 Group and installed on the square so that cycles may be left safely.
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