Are Rural Communities In Northern Ireland At A Transport Disadvantages?

This study will tackle the question, “Are rural communities in Northern Ireland at a transport disadvantage?” with Northern Ireland being a relatively small country in terms of population as of the 2011 the population was recorded as 1,810,863 (census 2011). The spread of the population over the land mass means that there are clusters of populated areas over a relatively small land mass i.e. cities and towns, leaving the rural population being spread over a vast land mass and meaning delivering many services to varied areas of land mass and population.

“Northern Ireland is one of four Devolved Administrations in the UK. It is a predominantly rural region, with 80% of the landmass in agricultural and forestry use. Almost two fifths of the urban

Under this definition, approximately 63% of the Northern Ireland population live in urban areas and 37% in rural areas in 2010/11. It is stressed that this definition should not be used in a prescriptive way. The methodology used by the Urban-rural Definition Group to establish urban rural classifications is specific to Northern Ireland, as the rest of the UK and Ireland adopt a different approach. Section 1.12 provides relevant links, which detail the different methodologies used” (Department for Social Development, 2015, p. 2)

Nature of Transport Disadvantage

Transport disadvantage in Northern Ireland is something which is linked and is growing as an important problem within the formation of transport strategies and policies (Mackey & Hine, 2004). Transport disadvantage is

“The inability to travel when and where one needs without difficulty. Transport disadvantage, as a concept, exists on a continuum, with some more transport disadvantaged than others” (Denmark, 1998, p.

19) sets out the

“Spatial development framework for Northern Ireland up to 2025”

And the RTS, a sub-document of this,

“Identifies strategic transportation investment priorities” and supports the RDS in “making a significant contribution over the 10 years towards achieving the longer-term vision for transportation contained in the RDS” (Regional Development Strategy, 2010, p. 19)

The revised RDS (2010) outlines focuses of a transportation which is diverse, sustainable, and inclusive. The policy, a revision of the 2002-2012 RDS provides a new method to regional transport which, through the RTS, focuses to:

“Rebalance and refocus our transport priorities and give a fresh direction for transportation with sustainability at its core. It will provide a series of high level strategic objectives, associated policies and indicators with economic, environmental and societal themes. The overreaching aim is to deliver transport arrangements which promote equitable access and meet wider economic and social needs, while limiting environmental impact and realising reductions in harmful emissions” (Regional Development Strategy, 2010, p. 19).

Moreover, regarding transport strategies, the revised RDS focuses