SCHOOLS, hospitals and other key services across the BCP Council area can be reached on foot or by public transport in an average of 15 minutes or under, figures show.

In its recently published Levelling Up white paper, the Government pledged to bring public transport connectivity across the country in line with London standards by 2030.

But campaigners calling for more funding to improve access to bus and rail services say recent cuts mean the Government is giving mixed messages over its commitment to levelling up.

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Each year, the Department for Transport calculates journey times from neighbourhoods across England to eight local services by walking or via public transport.

DfT data shows in Bournemouth and Poole journey times to these services, which include large workplaces, secondary schools, hospitals, food shops and town centres, averaged 15 minutes in 2019 – the latest data available.

However, the same figures show residents in Christchurch averaged 17 minutes in 2019.

Regionally, journey times to the same services by public transport or on foot are slowest in the South West, where people must travel more than 22 minutes on average – ten minutes longer than in London.

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However, some differences in journey times – especially between rural and urban areas – are to be expected, due to variations in population numbers and ensuing demand for services.

Paul Tuohy, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, said the figures showed there is a "long way to go" in ensuring everyone can access the places they need to go by public transport.

He said good, affordable public transport is key to creating social and economic equality, adding: "Warm words will not be enough.

"There has to be the funding available to introduce services where there currently aren't any, and improve services where they aren't good enough."

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A DfT spokesman said the Government is committed to levelling up all modes of transport and driving up standards across the UK.

He added: “Our £96 billion Integrated Rail Plan is boosting train travel in the North, we’re investing £5.7 billion to improve city links, £3 billion to build greener and more reliable bus services, and £4.8 billion through the Levelling Up Fund for vital services and infrastructure.”

A comprehensive plan which sets out the long term vision for improving the walking and cycling routes across the conurbation was unveiled at the end of last year.

The draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) from BCP Council includes 30 potential projects that could be pursued to improve “active travel” experiences.