Barriers to Access

The RSN campaigns to help rural residents overcome multiple access barriers to key services which includes poor transport and broadband.

Hot Topics

06 Mar 2018

Review must create rural homes

The Rural Services Network has welcomed proposals for a major overhaul of national planning policy. A consultation on a draft National Planning Policy Framework was launched by the government on...

Read more

05 Mar 2018

Major reform of planning unveiled

A major overhaul of planning rules will “deliver the homes the country needs,” says the government. The review of the National Planning Policy Framework was launched on Monday (5 March). The government...

Read more

28 Feb 2018

‘Loophole scuppers affordable homes’

House builders are exploiting a legal loophole so they don’t have to build as many affordable homes in the countryside, claim campaigners. Homeless charity Shelter and the Campaign to Protect...

Read more

27 Feb 2018

Call to fill rural banking ‘black hole’

An MP has introduced a private members bill to ensure rural communities aren’t left without financial services when bank branches close. Ceredigion MP Ben Lake said he wanted to make...

Read more

25 Feb 2018

Rural broadband ‘vital’ service – Gove

Better rural broadband is as vital as the HS2 high-speed rail link, Defra secretary Michael Gove has said. Broadband is a public good of critical interest and vital benefit to...

Read more

20 Feb 2018

Rural bus network under pressure

Public funding cuts are contributing to a dramatic shrinking of Britain’s bus network, suggests a study. Britain’s bus routes have lost 134 million miles of coverage over the past decade...

Read more

19 Feb 2018

Calor launches £50k rural grant scheme

Rural communities throughout the UK could be eligible for funding from the Calor Rural Community Fund. Established in 2017, the fund from energy provider Calor aims to give off-grid communities...

Read more

18 Feb 2018

Church spires to boost broadband

Church spires across the UK will be used to boost digital connectivity and broadband speeds in rural areas. The decision follows an agreement between the government and the Church of...

Read more

14 Feb 2018

4G antenna tackles broadband not-spots

A 4G antenna launched by telecoms giant EE can connect isolated rural homes to superfast broadband. The 4G antenna is being introduced following trials in Cumbria where it providing rural homes with...

Read more

12 Feb 2018

Study probes broadband availability

A 10-minute survey aims to uncover how broadband availability impacts on rural businesses in England. The survey is being undetaken by Jenny Bennett – a final year student at Harper...

Read more