The White Paper also recognises that addressing rural transport issues is not simply about how to improve people's personal mobility. A major part of the Government's strategy is to make access to important services less dependent on travelling. The White Paper set out minimum standards and targets covering the delivery of and access to services in rural areas, including transport, education and health. These standards will be reviewed annually and updated as access improves. The White Paper sets out a big agenda for action and we will be pressing on with it.
Delivery requires integrated action across government at all levels - national, regional and local.
We are preparing an implementation plan and timetable which will be published soon. The department will be consulting on the detailed proposals on quality parishes and the second homes discount. We will be issuing our revised planning guidance e.g. PPG 13 on transport. And we will be setting up the rural advisory boards at national and regional level. The Countryside Agency will take a lead on much in the White Paper.