Placebo or panacea? Rural transport corridors: some social and environmental issues

Travel poverty, defined as access to choice in relation to travel, is faced by those who cannot travel as much as they would like, or who have inadequate local amenities, reducing options about travel. The context for this study is increasing rural car use and by policies which directly or indirectly promote it, damaging the quality of life and the environment and lessening the safety of public space. Presents evidence from a study of two rural villages indicating that the development of public trans- port corridors might, in some circumstances and to some extent, meet sustainability (i.e. environmental, equity and participation) objectives. Also discusses possible limits to the effectiveness and potential disadvantages of developing rural public trans- port corridors. Raises the particular effectiveness of rail corridors in meeting environ- mental objectives.