Documents and webinars
Webinar: Transport Related Social Exclusion in the East
Webinar: Digital Poverty & Impacts in the East
External sources
TRSE Tool
(links to Transport for the North)
In the East, 1/4 people live in a community with a high risk of transport related social exclusion
Transport related social exclusion (TRSE) is the term used to describe transport issues which have a fundamental impact on everyday life and limit the ability to fulfil everyday needs. This could mean:
- being unable to access services such as childcare, health provision and leisure opportunities
- having limited choices of good job and education opportunities
- facing poverty and financial hardship because of transport costs
- facing significant stress and anxiety from using the transport system as part of everyday life
There are several identified contributors to TRSE, including poor provision of local public transport, unsuitable conditions to facilitate walking, cycling and wheeling in car-dominated environments, and a high-level of car dependency that result from these factors.
Research shows that TRSE is most likely to impact people on low incomes, those with disabilities and long-term health conditions, and those with caring or childcare responsibilities. These aspects can limit the number of suitable transport options, which leads to an increased risk of TRSE.
How are we identifying areas with a high risk of TRSE?
Transport East has been working with the sub-national transport body, Transport for the North (TfN), to better understand the challenges TRSE presents to the East.
Their TRSE data tool helped us to estimate the risk of social exclusion resulting from issues within transport provision. The level of risk is based on an analysis of the following factors:
- Accessibility: The level of access to jobs, education, healthcare, and basic services by car and public transport, and the accessibility gap between car and public transport.
- Vulnerability: The extent to which the population is vulnerable to social exclusion, based on the combination of socioeconomic and demographic indicators.
With this data, we can identify communities where there is a high risk of TRSE and work with partners including local authorities and transport operators, to develop recommendations that better connect these communities.
TRSE District Reports for the East
The TRSE data tool has been used to identify the risk of TRSE for local authorities across the East:
In the below webinar, Dr Tom Jarvis from Transport for the North summarises his work in TRSE and demonstrates how the TRSE tool works.
Transport for the North provide further information on TRSE on their website, where the tool is also hosted:
Digital Poverty and its impact in the East
Fast and reliable digital connectivity is essential in areas with limited transport options and a high risk of Transport Related Social Exclusion (TRSE). It provides people with access to essential services, yet some parts of the East still face digital poverty.
Digital poverty is defined as "the inability to interact with the online world fully, when, where, and how an individual needs to." According to the Digital Poverty Alliance:
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Digital poverty affects people of all ages, not just older populations, with 20% of people impacted.
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26% of young people lack access to devices like laptops.
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Over 50% of people without broadband say they can’t afford the average monthly bill.
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Technological advancements often widen existing inequalities based on gender, race, age, ability, and income.
One of our transport strategy goals is to reduce the number of journeys people need to make, supporting our decarbonisation ambitions. The greenest journey is the one that isn’t made.
While digital connectivity falls outside Transport East’s direct remit, we fully support local authorities, the government, Ofcom, and telecom providers in their efforts to deliver ultra-fast broadband and reliable 5G across all homes and workplaces. Special focus is needed on rural and coastal areas where sustainable transport options are limited.
Through our partnerships, we will align digital and transport network plans, ensuring that digital connectivity is integrated into new developments from the start. This will help reduce digital poverty and ensure better access to essential services.
Joel Tiller from the Digital Poverty Alliance delivered a presentation on the impacts of digital poverty, further emphasising the urgency of addressing this issue.
Documents and webinars
Webinar: Transport Related Social Exclusion in the East
Webinar: Digital Poverty & Impacts in the East
External Documents
TRSE Tool
(links to Transport for the North)