1. Hertfordshire’s Rural Conference
Living, Thriving and Working in East Herts
19th October 2016
Church Farm, Ardeley
Workshop Presentation
Rural Inclusion, Tewin Community Transport Group
Merralyn Sandison

2. Photographs by Les Borg from the “Tour of Tewin”
The Village
Photographs by Les Borg from the “Tour of Tewin”

3. Population
From the September 2008 Parish Plan, which used 2001 census data, the population was 1,438 with 562 households and had been relatively stable for some years
October 2016 the estimated population is
2,000 with 719 households

4. Location Key Services are located in:
Tewin is located on the western edge of East Herts.
Key Services are located in:
Welwyn Garden City 3.6 – 4.7 miles
Old Welwyn 3.7 miles
Stevenage 11.5 miles
Hertford 3.9 – 4.8 miles

5. Key Services
The Department for Transport indicators for accessibility to vital services includes:
Primary and secondary schools
Further education institutions
General Practitioners
Hospitals
Town Centres
Food Stores
Centres of Employment

6. The changing picture of village life
St Peters Church
The school
The bus service
The village shop
The Post Office
Prescription delivery
GP Surgery
The garage
Farming and rural enterprise
The village pubs
New housing
Traffic
Kerb Stones and Street Lights

7. Activities
There are a wide range of activities for all age groups, with three venues, with parking, available for hire, for private parties, weddings, public events, regular daytime and evening groups
For people who do not drive or have access to independent transport, the cuts to the bus service, September 2015, are a matter of concern. Poor transport links lead to inequalities in access to public health services, education and work, which, in turn, leads to social isolation and exclusion from what is happening the wider community

8. Health and Wellbeing Initiatives
Include:
Support for carers
Promoting mental health and advocacy
Keeping people out of hospital
Maintaining independent living
Staying active in the community
Connecting and developing individuals and communities
Living well with long term conditions

9. The missing link
Wellbeing matters. At a time when there is a widening gap in health inequalities the question has to be asked, how, without an adequate public transport system, can wellbeing be maximised for all in a fair and just way?

10. Bus Cuts 2015
There is an acknowledgment owing to Kristina Lawson, Tewin Parish Council, for the dedicated effort which Kristina put into trying to save the 388 bus service throughout the public consultation process up until the reduced service became operational September 2015

11. What people are saying
People are experiencing difficulties travelling to work both into the village and out of the village; the school bus is being used (term time) for health related appointments.
A lot of money is being spent on taxis or community transport to attend appointments. When no transport is available, appointments are being cancelled.
People describe a loss of freedom, feeling fed-up and completely alone, especially at weekends, which in turn are indicators of stress in relation to wellbeing

12. What we are doing
Had it not been for meeting Tim Hayward-Smith, CDA, April 2016, when Rural Isolation was on the agenda of the Village Hall Network Meeting, nothing further might have happened.
We have a lot to thank Tim for. He has been instrumental in bringing HCC Community Transport Manager and a representative from EHDC’s Rural Isolation Team to Tewin. Going forward, the plan is to pilot a Saturday service using a 10 seater community mini bus with one wheelchair space and driver.

13. Where we are going
Back to the Parish Council in November with a plan.
The lack of transport weekday mornings and evenings still needs to be addressed, particularly when the school bus does not run.
The village continues to grow. A growing number of retired people are moving into the village to be close to family and a growing number of people are having to give up driving
It is inconceivable that the present bus service and rural isolation is going to become less of a problem.

14. To conclude
What is happening with the Transport Steering Group is consistent with the Community Wellbeing aims to connect and develop individuals and communities through innovative project development
Identifying public transport as a need is a challenge. The issue is always the cost of running the bus service. It is rarely seen in relation to the benefit of the wider economy and public health and wellbeing aims to keep people living as independently as possible, as well as possible, for as long as possible.

15. there is still a way to go but
Thank you