Pupils Grill Transport
Experts
Youngsters from Ashford’s senior schools put a panel of
transport experts in the hot seat during a debate hosted by the
Mayor Cllr Rita Hawes.
More than two dozen students posed questions at the Mayor’s
Debate which this year focussed on Transport.
Representatives from Stagecoach, Kent County Council and
Ashford’s Future faced a range of questions on local bus services,
public transport prices, provision of zebra crossings and cycle
paths, the effect of transport on the environment, how to encourage
more people to use public transport and much more. Youngsters had
also hoped to quiz Southeastern Railway but the company was unable
to field a representative on the day.
The three hour question and answer session was impressive, with
students presenting questions equal to anything seen in council
debates.
The event was hailed a huge success by students and panellists
alike. Cllr Hawes said; “I am sure everyone will agree the debate
has given both panellists and students a better understanding of
the issues involved, the aspirations and expectations of local
young people and the problems and constraints faced by transport
providers and planners.
“It also demonstrates the council’s commitment to giving young
people an opportunity to air their views to key providers or policy
makers in a formal setting and the commitment of those key people
to engage with young people.”
Donna Ashby from The Towers School said: “It’s good that people
who are in a position to influence things that affect our daily
lives were prepared to give up their valuable time to take part in
this debate, to listen to what we have to say and take it into
consideration in the future.”
Amina Abonde-Adigun from Ashford School agreed: “It was a really
interesting morning and very worthwhile. This was a fantastic
opportunity for local students to meet and question people who have
a direct effect on our lives. I think we all came away knowing much
more about Ashford and where it’s going and the knowledge that the
panel members appreciate our concerns and ideas and will take them
onboard.”
Elizabeth McAdams from Christ Church School added: “Young people
don’t normally have a chance to voice their opinions and concerns
directly to key service providers. I think the debate proved young
people do have ideas worth listening to and that they want to
influence what happens in their local community. It was a shame
Southeastern Railway did not attend as many of us had questions
about their levels of service and prices.”
Ian Day, Operations Manager for Stagecoach said:” I think all
panel members were very impressed with range and quality of
questions raised. It was a very interesting and enlightening
process which has given me a real insight into what young people
want, what concerns them and in turn they now have a better
understanding of how we operate and why we cannot always provide
the services they would like to see. I will be going back to my
desk with some serious food for thought.”
Kenneth Cobb, Transport Integration Manager for Kent County
Council agreed: “I was very impressed with the questions they posed
and once we had replied their supplementary questions were just as
impressive. They certainly proved young people have a valid voice
and should be listened to more often by more people in positions of
power. I am taking away many thoughts and actions to resolve.
Andy Phillips, Sustainable Transport Manager for Ashford’s
Future said: “It’s important to be able to talk directly to young
people who, after all, are key users of public transport. All their
questions and concerns were well informed and very well put. Their
thoughts on the effect of Ashford’s growth on transport provision
and the associated environmental issues were very impressive. I
will take away their concerns and ideas and raise them in
discussions with partners, transport providers and funders”.
Media Release 0060/08
29/02/08
Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford TN23 1PL
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