CommunitiesBritain’s countryside is characterised by its strong rural communities, and the Countryside Alliance is campaigning hard to ensure their future. Any number of issues threaten their survival, and we lobby to ensure that any legislation passed is countryside-friendly. In this section you can read about various topical issues of interest to rural communities. |
Communities: Welcome warnings from Government on broadbandFriday, 20 January 2012 Responding to the news today that the Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has warned that local authorities could have their broadband funding removed if broadband contracts are not signed by the end of the year; Alice Barnard, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: “The announcement of the withdrawal of funds if broadband contracts are not signed gives further assurance, following the deadline for councils to submit their broadband plans, that the roll-out of rural broadband will be delivered. Read more... The Countryside's High Speed problemThursday, 12 January 2012 Countryside Alliance Awards Chief Executive Alice Barnard writes: Most of you will have seen that this week the Government approved plans to build a High Speed Rail line between London and Birmingham (known as HS2). The line - estimated to cost £17 billion in its first phase and won't be operational until 2024 - will carve through some of Britain's most cherished and unspoilt countryside, Read more... HS2: Environmental Concessions Still Not Enough says AllianceTuesday, 10 January 2012 In response to the Transport Secretary, Justine Greening’s, Ministerial Statement approving the High Speed Rail Project (HS2); Sarah Lee, Head of Policy for the Countryside Alliance, said: “The Countryside Alliance remains gravely concerned that no significant evaluation of the impact of High Speed Rail 2 on the countryside, its communities and wildlife has been properly undertaken or acknowledged.  Lobby your MP on HS2Wednesday, 21 December 2011 Last week the Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, announced she was postponing the decision on the future of HS2, the high-speed rail project running from London to Birmingham, in order to review all the relevant factors. The Alliance welcomed this decision as we believe that the Government has failed to make a sound business case. The decision will now be announced in the New Year, giving us all the opportunity to raise our concerns once more about the project. Read more... Alliance Welcomes New Deadlines for Council Broadband PlansThursday, 15 December 2011 Responding to the news today that the Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has announced that local authorities’ draft plans for rolling-out superfast broadband need to be submitted to the Government by the end of February; Alice Barnard, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, said:  CA response to PO LocalsMonday, 12 December 2011 Responding to the news today that up to 2,000 rural post offices will close from next summer to be converted into ‘PO Locals’ with limited counter services; Alice Barnard, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: “This is essentially a downgrading of the postal services offered to local communities. The PO Local model will create a lower quality public service and will simply not be financially viable for most sub postmasters. Isolated rural communities stand to suffer the most from the closures and loss of postal services. Read more... Whitehall leaving super-fast broadband schemes "high and dry"Friday, 9 December 2011 The Countryside Alliance has released the results of a freedom of information request sent in October to each of the four areas named by George Osborne in his Pre-Budget Report on 20 October 2010 (Highlands and Islands, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Herefordshire) as launching pilot superfast broadband areas. Read more... Everywoman Award winner has top rural businessWednesday, 7 December 2011 Last week we were proud to be at the NatWest Everywoman Awards at the Dorchester in London. The Awards celebrate female entrepreneurs and have the backing of the Prime Minister, whilst Home Secretary Theresa May MP came to address the reception and acknowledge the female entrepreneurial spirit. In 2010 the Awards were extended to include a rural business category, with the Countryside Alliance being invited to judge that category. We all know that there are very specific challenges to doing business in the countryside and were happy to lend our experience to the Awards. Read more... High Speed Rail Decision DelayedTuesday, 6 December 2011 The government has today announced it is postponing its decision on whether work should start on HS2, the high-speed rail project running from London to Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.  Response to Chancellor’s Autumn Statement and Rural Economy Growth ReviewTuesday, 29 November 2011 The Countryside Alliance – the leading voice of rural Britain - welcomes George Osborne’s cut in fuel duty in the Autumn Statement and a renewed focus on the rural economy through the Rural Economy Growth Review. Alice Barnard, Chief Executive: “George Osborne has provided a much needed boost to the rural economy by scrapping the planned rise in fuel duty and investing in projects ranging from rural broadband to countryside tourism. Read more... |
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