Originally published in 1979, this book discusses the problem faced by planners, county councils, transport, health and education authorities as well as the inhabitants of rural Britain, of the inaccessibility of many areas of the UK. For certain sections of society such as the less well-off, children and teenagers and the elderly the impact is felt most strongly when local shops, schools and medical services are withdrawn in favour of larger units in distant towns. The book reviews the process of decline which led to this situation and considers the concept of accessibility to show how it can be developed into an analytical tool for measuring the success or failure of alternative policies. Each policy option is discussed in detail: the support of conventional bus or other transport services; the provision of mobile services; ‘mini-outlet’ policies and the long-term restructuring of the rural settlement pattern.

Dr. Sweta Shah is currently the co-founder and CEO of ChildArise (www.childarise.org). She has a PhD in Education from University of London, Institute of Education and over 20 years of experience in the development and humanitarian sectors, and over 15 years in early childhood development. This is her second book.

Lucy Bassett is an Associate Professor at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, co-Director of the Humanitarian Collaborative, at the University of Virginia, and co-founder of ChildArise. She has worked to support young children through international organizations, NGOs, academia, and as a preschool teacher. This is her second book.