Students tell Council: we want cheaper public transport

A Norfolk council has gone out into the community to meet and consult with school pupils, in order to ensure that young people’s views and priorities are incorporated into the district’s strategy. And the message has come across loud and clear: "we need cheaper public transport."

The first results of the consultation meetings - attended by 180 sixth formers at Wymondham College - show that more affordable public transport came top of their list of concerns, with three times the number of votes cast as the next two most important issues - recycling and affordable housing.

South Norfolk Council has held two forums with the students and the results will help shape the Local Development Framework for South Norfolk.

Council Leader Vivienne Clifford-Jackson, who champions young people in South Norfolk, said:

"We are leading the way in engaging with our young people, and these results will be invaluable to us in helping plan the future. Affordable public transport is the key to liberating our young people from the rural isolation they can face, while their call for more recycling and affordable housing shows that we have the same vision."

The students’ silences spoke volumes as well. Some options which were put to them received no votes at all, such as a suggestion to increase the amount of weekly bin collections. Alan Gomm of South Norfolk’s Planning Services said:

"Today’s young people are tomorrow’s home-owners, workers and leaders, and we wanted them to help shape our Local Development Framework for South Norfolk. Talking to the students at Wymondham College was a real success, and we want to thank them for their valuable time, thoughts and insights."

Related pages

• Latest news