Rosie Cooper MP (Lab) writes in Politics Home this week that countryside communities need to be protected by improving public transport in cut-off areas to ensure amenities stay accessible to everyone

She argues that rural constituencies have been ‘pushed aside’ by the Government and local authorities that should be supporting them, as focus and investment is ‘hoovered up’ by larger metropolitan commercial centres and lost to rural and semi-rural areas.

Ms Cooper notes that transport and increased levels of isolation are an issue as rural bus routes have been consistently scrapped or bus stops abandoned.

In addition, she writes that funding should also be secured for effective infrastructure to prevent flooding and respond promptly when it occurs.

She maintained that rural areas are in need of a levelling-up agenda that ‘recognises the difference between towns, villages and cities, encourages a dynamic, interconnected local economy using all our talents, and preserves our proud natural heritage and environment’.

Full article:

Politics Home - Rural areas need a levelling-up agenda that recognises the difference between villages, towns and cities