Rural transport
Have your say on better access
Residents in the most remote part of east Perthshire are soon to be asked for their views on public transport.
Mount Blair Community Development Trust (MBCDT) is one of six across Scotland to be chosen to take part in a pilot project overseen by the Development Trusts Association of Scotland.
Known as the Local Transport Solutions Project, the association will be on hand to help get community-led initiatives into gear as part of what has been described as a “very exciting opportunity” for the area.
Finance has been sourced from the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places fund administered by the Stirling-based charity Paths for All.
A spokesperson for MBCDT said: “We are delighted to announce that we have been chosen as one of six pilot projects from across Scotland that will receive dedicated support, guidance and advice on the issue of public and community transport.
“This will be provided by the Development Trusts Association of Scotland and there was very strong competition to be chosen from their 300 members, so this is a very exciting opportunity for the Mount Blair region.”
The trust spokesperson continued: “Access to public transport services has long been a bone of contention for many of our residents.
“As far back as the 2013 Mount Blair Community Action Plan survey this issue was recorded as the joint number one dislike in the region and, since then, the situation has only deteriorated further.
“Poor access to transport affects so many aspects of peoples lives – from access to healthcare, shops and other services, social and physical isolation, the ability to travel to and from work, freedom for young people to be able to travel and much more.
“Our community transport project will look at all aspects of transport across the whole region and will investigate ways in which the community might be able to come up with their own solutions.”
Explaining how the project is set to progress, the trust representative added: “The first step will be to ask everyone in our communities for their views on this issue via a formal transport needs survey.
“The more detail and support we can gather the stronger the position we will be in to try to solve this issue.
“We are anticipating that survey work will start within the next few weeks.”
A spokesperson for the Development Trusts Association of Scotland told the Blairie: “The Local Transport Solutions Project will support six development trusts from across our membership to develop and deliver their transport projects.
“These range from a bike share scheme at a railway station and a community car club right through to community minibuses.
“The project will ensure learning can be taken from these groups to provide a model for other development trusts looking to deliver their own projects in the future.”
Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Bob Brawn said: “Public transportation in the Glens has been an ongoing problem for many years as most residents have access to a motorcar so, with so few needing a bus, the cost of running a regular service becomes prohibitive.
“This leaves those few finding it difficult to go shopping or make healthcare visits, which leads to physical and social isolation.
“I wish the trust every success in finding some solutions.
“I hope everyone takes the time to respond.”
• See the website www.mbcdt.co.uk.