Transport-related social exclusion amongst older people in rural Southwest England and Wales

doi:10.1016/j.jrurstud.2012.01.010

Journal of Rural Studies

Volume 28, Issue 4, October 2012, Pages 412-421

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2012.01.010 Get rights and content

Abstract

Rural dwelling and older age are both associated with a higher risk of social exclusion, with accessibility identified as having an important facilitating role. The interactions between transport-related exclusion and older age, particularly in a rural context, are considered though analysis of quantitative and qualitative data collected from over 900 older persons living in rural areas of Southwest England and Wales. Although few respondents reported feeling excluded within their communities, more reported difficulties in accessing specific necessary and discretionary activities, including specialist hospitals and cinemas. Analysis revealed that car availability is not a strong indicator of overall inclusion, although non-availability was important in limiting access to particular types of location. It is concluded that the relatively short travel distances required to access community activities was a key factor in the high levels of community inclusion. However, the car-dependent nature of travel overall means that there is a rising risk of mobility-related exclusion in rural areas, particularly amongst the oldest old. Greater consideration needs to be given to more formalised lift-giving as a transport solution, along with greater attention to mobility needs by sector-specific service providers, such as the health sector.

Highlights

► Social exclusion due to transport reasons is assessed for older citizens in six rural areas in the UK. ► Rurality is found to have a small, statistically significant effect on overall exclusion. ► Car availability had greater influence than age on difficulty in accessing essential services. ► The growing number of older old suggests a growing accessibility deficit particularly in rural areas. ► Policy should consider active travel and organised lift-sharing alongside public transport solutions.

Section snippets

Introduction: the relationship between transport and social exclusion

The focus of this paper is the susceptibility to transport-related exclusion of older people (defined as those over the age of 60) living in six rural areas of the UK, a state fairly typical of developed, industrialised nations in terms of its demography and socioeconomic characteristics. The paper begins by exploring the relationship between mobility, accessibility and exclusion, with a focus on older people. It then moves on to examine why this is a particular (and developing) issue for this

Ageing and accessibility in a rural context

The focus of this study on older people in rural areas (and their potential for exclusion), is increasingly important, as rural populations are ageing. In more developed countries, such as the UK, the over-60s already make up one-fifth of the population, and by 2050 this may be one-third (UN, 2009). In Europe specifically, the forecast is for older people (those 60 and over) to be 35% of the population in 2050. The proportion of older people in rural areas in these states has also been growing

Methodology

The data underpinning the analyses reported in this paper are drawn from quantitative and qualitative data collection carried out in Southwest England and Wales in 2009–2010. Nine hundred and twenty people over the age of 60 completed a quantitative survey in six different rural locations, with 38 of them then taking part in semi-structured interviews lasting about an hour. The data collection was carried out to help understand community connectivity, including satisfaction with community

Incidence of self-reported exclusion

For participants of the quantitative survey ‘community’ was simply identified as ‘the community in which you live’ and was not further defined. It is assumed that for most respondents that this was interpreted as meaning the immediate spatial community based on the nearest village or rural town. In response to the statement ‘I often feel excluded within my community’, a simple majority ‘disagreed’, but 51 older people (6%) did agree that they were excluded, and another 53 people responded that

Rural mobility exclusion revisited

The empirical findings and analyses have confirmed the importance of mobility as a facilitating factor in social exclusion. In respect of self-identification of overall exclusion within the community, those affected are confirmed as a small minority of around one in 20. For this broad measure, encapsulating all dimensions identified in Section 2, degree of rurality did emerge as a contributory factor. However, considering the role of accessibility within exclusion, the effect of degree of

Conclusions

Despite policy concerns about the quality of accessibility in rural areas, and the multiple risks that older rural citizens face, exacerbated in some cases by declining health and economic resources, a relatively low incidence of self-reported social exclusion was found amongst older citizens in the six rural areas. The multi-faceted nature of social exclusion is supported by the fact that the overwhelming majority of those that described themselves as ‘often excluded’ had access to a car –

Acknowledgements

The research for this paper was supported as part of the Grey and Pleasant Land? project by the UK Research Councils involved in the New Dynamics of Ageing Programme (grant number RES-353-25-0011). The authors acknowledge the insightful discussions with colleagues in the wider project and are grateful in particular to the Workpackage 1 team led by Prof. Nigel Curry for coordinating the quantitative data collection. We are also grateful for advice on statistical analysis given by Dr Eran

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Transport-related social exclusion amongst older people in rural Southwest England and Wales

Abstract

Highlights

Section snippets

Introduction: the relationship between transport and social exclusion

Ageing and accessibility in a rural context

Methodology

Incidence of self-reported exclusion

Rural mobility exclusion revisited

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

Transport Policy

Research in Transportation Economics

Journal of Transport Geography

Journal of Transport Geography

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

Progress in Planning

Journal of Transport Geography

Journal of Transport Geography

Research in Transportation Economics

The Grey Escape: How and Why are Older People Really Using Their Free Bus Pass?

Key Issues in Rural Transport

A New Approach to Rural Public Transport

State of the Countryside 2010

2008–09 Citizenship Survey - Volunteering and Charitable Giving Topic Report

Does accessibility planning address what matters? A review of current practice and practitioner perspectives

Research in Transportation Business & Management

The Nature of Rural General Practice in the UK (Preliminary Research)

Defra Classification of Local Authorities in England: Updated Technical Guide

Our Countryside: The Future. A fair deal for rural England

Guidance on Local Transport Plans

Travel in Urban and Rural Areas: Personal Travel Factsheet – March 2010