By Betsy Everett
Can people living in rural areas manage without a car, either their own or someone else’s?
This is the question Ruth Annison of Askrigg, who has long campaigned for good bus and train services, will pose tomorrow night at the Wensleydale Sport and Leisure Centre.
“As people who live in the dales get older, or become infirm through an accident or illness, they may find they can no longer drive and at that point may think about having to leave the area.
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“We do have resources and services here that are far better than in many rural areas, but it can still be difficult to find out about them,” says Ruth. “Do we have to move away from here in order to be able to get about is what a lot of people ask themselves.
“Also, though we may not be in a position to have resources such as libraries, hospitals, and swimming pools on our doorstep, we do need to be able to reach them reasonably easily.”
Ruth sometimes takes her concerns to her local MP, or the local authority, and has recently been involved in keeping the Sunday DalesBus service between Hawes and Northallerton running through the winter.
She believes that by applying pressure, and keeping the issue alive in local communities, we can all play our part in retaining, and improving, public transport services.
Ruth will lead the Learning Curve discussion on the availability and use of public transport at the Wensleydale centre tomorrow night, staring at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome.
