Recognising demand.
Greetings Filkins & Broughton Poggs, my name is Lee Bennett and I am a member of the Filkins and Broughton Poggs Community Led Plan.
I have touched upon the needs of public transport before in the past and I am doing so again to make the villages aware that the CLP are working on your behalf to fight for reinstatment for crucially vital transport links.
The village lost the 64 service in 2016, and Oxfordshire lost 122 services.
I myself am full time carer, adult support worker and an appointee, as such my comments and opinions are my own, but I have had many public interactions with the community of F&BP and have been asked to share their concerns.
With my personal past experiences, current experiences and feedback from interacting with the local residents of F&BP these are my current findings from social interactions with local villagers.
These mainly consist of the younger villagers and wanting links to higher education and access to part time jobs.
The of 16-19+ age demographic wanting to pursue higher education through sixth form, college or university, and would be able to achieve this with local regular transport links.
There are many local college campuses and establishments nearby that could be serviced by public transport as they were before.
I, myself attended Swindon College from 2000 – 2004. I wouldn’t have been able to without a bus service.
The mature and older residents of the community who want independence to attend to financial matters, the convenience of shopping and leisure, don't drive and especially for those who don’t own computers, smart phones or don’t want to rely on family members.
The local areas have lost many post offices and many banks which have now have vanished from the high street. Our nearest banks are now Witney and Swindon.
Many have expressed their desire for transport links for employment purposes, to be able to explore new career opportunities, again without relying on family members or friends for lifts. Some households struggle to run one car and a second car isn’t financially viable in the current economic economy.
Also not wanting to contend with rising fuel costs or parking.
Also a fair few people I have spoken to have said that the ability to access transport links without having to rely on parking, fuel costs, taxis and lifts is missed.
The biggest factor I have encountered when speaking to many people of the village is since the covid pandemic, the ever increasing feeling of isolation and feeling trapped.
Many want the ability to freely leave the area to go further afield for their own personal needs.
As I am a full time carer and adult support worker, I find myself facing new challenges with my role, but also it gives me the ability to see the wants and needs of others and how to help better facilitate their needs.
The most vulnerable in our societies, regardless of age, need regular access to services to better facilitate their lives, be it education, employment, leisure, tourism and freedom.
As I have mentioned recently to some other parish councils, I cannot do all this on my own, and as have been suggested, I have indeed asked other parish councils to make these efforts know to their villagers so they could also raise their concerns for their wants and needs of public transport and what outcome they wish for.
What as we the CLP, can do for you to fight on your behalf regarding this matter?
Your thoughts and opinions are most welcome to better aid and faciliate our villages. Please find enclosed links of current efforts:
https://www.oxfordshirelive.co.uk/news/i-tried-oxfordshires-most-isolated-6663136
https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/readers_letters/14592447.readers-letter-deprived-of-bus/
What can we, the CLP try and do for you, Filkins & Broughton Poggs.
Please feel free to contact us or me here.
Lee S. Bennett
Filkins &Broughton Poggs Community Led Plan.