Annex 2 - Cornwall's Challenges and Concerns - The Evidence Base

This section outlines each method of consultation and highlights the key results of these exercises. 

Focus Group Consultation

The consultation process commenced in October 2003, with a total of 10 focus groups organised to obtain transport views from specific groups of people.  There were initially eight focus groups, consisting of a range of delegates who were selected strategically from typically ‘hard to reach’ groups around the County and randomly from those on our People’s Panel. This ensured that  the best range of age, gender, location and economic situation was represented.

Each group was asked to identify key priorities that arose out of the discussion.  These are grouped below.

Public Transport:

• More liaison between transport providers.

• Better public transport – reliable buses, fares and staff training.

• Better co-ordination and expansion of public transport infrastructure.

• More effective regulation for buses, trains and air travel.

Concessionary Fares:

• Concessionary fares – young people.

• Concessionary fares – children/low income families.

• Concessionary fares – those on benefits.

Main Spine Roads:

• Dualling of the A30.

Other Key Priorities:

• Freight should revert to rail where possible.

• Safety issues on buses e.g. driver training, seatbelts on buses.

• Introduce park-and-ride where appropriate.

• DfT should be accountable for local issues.

In addition to the original eight focus groups, two further consultation exercises with groups with learning difficulties where carried out.  These final focus groups provided further back up of the need for improved information, easy to read and understandable information relating to public transport, and the emphasis that needs to be placed on improving Cornwall’s bus services.

The Future of Travel and Transport in Cornwall

In March 2004, we issued a consultation document to around 350 key stakeholders. A purpose made video was produced in order to clearly define the issues surrounding local transport and the purpose of consultation.  This heightened the importance of the consultation process and was shown to each of the key LTP partners. The document and video were also distributed to each of the Parish Councils while the document was made available publicly at libraries and district council offices throughout Cornwall, as well as on our web site.  The purpose of the exercise was to give a strategic overview of travel and transport in Cornwall.

We received 315 completed questionnaires.  45% of these were a response on behalf of an organisation and 55% were responses from members of the general public.

The following views were expressed:

• The majority of respondents agreed with our approach to transport service delivery being implemented through the first LTP. 

• 95% of people agreed that improving the rail network was a key countywide priority. 

• Enhanced air links at Newquay airport and improving the main ‘spine’ roads were important priorities, while generating the strongest opposition (16% and 15% in disagreement respectively).

• 83% of respondents agreed we should develop a network of walking and cycling trails.

The key priorities for the majority of respondents in terms of improving travel and transport in Cornwall are:

• Improving public transport - Reliability of buses and trains, good information and enhanced community based transport were the most important issues.  The reliability of buses and trains, frequency of bus services and good information were in need of most improvement. 

• Improving road safety – A reduction in road accidents, traffic speeds and traffic congestion were the most important aspects.  A reduction in traffic speeds and congestion required the most improvement.  Education and training for all road users was also needed.. 

• Managing local traffic – Carrying more freight by rail and sea, managing traffic in towns, lowering vehicle speeds and protecting certain routes from HGVs were the most important issues.  Increased freight by rail and sea, more park-and-rides and managing traffic in towns were identified as in most need of improvement. 

The majority of the ‘Open Responses’ issues raised through the open section of the survey reflected the results from the main questionnaire:

• The need for more reliable and frequent bus services.

• Managing traffic in town centres.

• Reduction of HGV movements in villages and town centres.

• Speed reduction measures.

• Encouraging walking and cycling.

Improving the quality of the bus network and associated issues generated by far the largest number of open responses. 

Peoples Panel Consultation

The People’s Panel was established by the County Council in 2000 and comprises a broadly representative sample from across Cornwall, which currently totals 2,700 people.

A postal survey was distributed to the Panel during May 2004 and the answers to the questions were intended to provide further detail to the 'The Future of Travel and Transport in Cornwall' consultation exercise.

The response rate to the survey was 43.8%, which is in line with response rates of previous Panel surveys.  The survey concluded that:

• The car is the most widely used mode of travel at 76.6% of  journeys.

• 14.1% said  walking was their main travel mode.

• Nearly half travel over eight miles for any given journey.

In respect of service delivery:

• The reliability and frequency of bus services were a key concern.

• The reliability, cost and frequency of train services were a key concern.

• Off road cycle lanes are the most effective measure in making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to get around. 

• There is an adequate number of taxis in local areas and satisfaction was high.

• Most people find it easy to access a wide range of services.

• Road surfaces are the most important element of highway maintenance and salting.  Verge cutting, hedge trimming and weed treatment are the least important.

• Main 'A' roads are a priority for road resurfacing.

• Town centres are a priority for footpath and cycle way resurfacing.

• The majority of respondents are satisfied with the our road winter salting.

• 57% agreed that ‘speed cameras are effective in reducing road casualties’. 74% agreed they are effective in reducing speed. A significant minority thought speed cameras were not effective in reducing speeds. A widespread view is that speed cameras are simply a means to make money.

• Respondents were in favour of encouraging innovative ways to raise funds for improvements in the transport system.

Additional Comments

Over 450 respondents made additional comments, which were concerned with:

• Public transport - poor reliability and punctuality of bus services.

• Poor standards of cleanliness on buses and trains.

• Lack of integration or connectivity between routes.

• Lack of quality bus services in rural areas.

• Traffic calming - mixed views on the provision and effectiveness of measures.

• Road surfaces - quality needs to be maintained.

• Congestion and hence accessibility  – these are problems. 

• Travel and transport in Cornwall - a wish to see ongoing improvements.

 Accessibility in Cornwall Conference

The Accessibility in Cornwall conference, held in September 2004, was an 'action and learning event'.  It was attended by a wide range of stakeholders who play a crucial role in feeding into the wider accessibility agenda in Cornwall. 

The key focus of the conference stemmed from the Government's requirement for the LTP2 to include a comprehensive Accessibility Strategy.  Clearly, the location of services and the way they are delivered has as much impact on accessibility as transport provision itself.  Therefore, the conference provided an ideal opportunity for partnership working to address the accessibility problem in Cornwall.

The following key themes arose from the day:

The key issues:

• Geographic position of the County.

• Access to all services (healthcare, education, employment) is important.

• Key groups are the 16 – 19 year olds, the elderly and those on a low income.

The solutions:

• Provision of information.

• Better public transport.

• Taking services to the people. De-centralisation of services.

• Onus on service providers to provide transport.

• Enhance voluntary and community transport.

• Greater co-operation between providers.

• Multi-use of service locations.

• Increased walking & cycling access.

• Improved planning/development control.

• More park-and-ride.

• Greater use of Internet facilities.

• More evening public transport services.

For the purpose of a focused analysis, the key priorities from each exercise have been identified and are outlined in Table  9.1.

The key priorities that have arisen from the consultation exercises, together with the ongoing input from the specialised groups and forums have been taken forward and used in the development of Cornwall’s transport strategy.  In addition to the specific LTP2 consultation, Parish Plans are also being evaluated as they become available and the findings are cross-referenced against these results.

Detailed reports of each of the four consultation exercises have been developed as supporting documents to the LTP2.