SECTION 1 -
Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016
1A. Name of Public Authority.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
To develop and make available a Transport Survey to those who reside within the postcode catchment of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area.
1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.
Developing a plan.
1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.
Community Plan ‘Delivery Plan March 2026’
1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
The Causeway Coast and Glens Community Planning Strategic Partnership wants to better understand how people travel across our area, the challenges they face, and what improvements could make transport more accessible, reliable, and affordable for everyone.
1F. What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition).and other definition
Details of alternative definition of ‘rural’ used: N/A
Rationale for using alternative definition of ‘rural’: N/A.
Reasons why a definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable. N/A
SECTION 2 -
Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?
Yes.
2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.
This survey project will form a key part of the evidence-gathering process, providing up-to-date information and data on the transport challenges experienced by residents across the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
A particular focus will be placed on people living in rural communities, where access to reliable and affordable transport can often be more limited. The survey aims to identify the specific concerns, barriers, and transport needs affecting rural residents, including issues such as access to employment, education, healthcare, social activities, and essential services.
In addition, the survey will explore wider factors that may influence transport accessibility, recognising that transport needs are often linked to other circumstances. This includes understanding the experiences of people living with disabilities, older adults, carers, and individuals with additional support needs, whose ability to travel may be affected by physical, social, or economic barriers. By capturing these diverse experiences, the survey will help build a comprehensive picture of transport needs across the area and inform future planning, policy development, and service improvements.
2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.
A transport survey is likely to affect rural residents differently from urban residents because they often have fewer transport options.
People in rural areas rely more on private cars due to limited public transport and often travel longer distances to access work, education, healthcare, and shops. A transport survey can highlight these issues and help improve services such as bus routes and community transport. However, rural communities may be under-represented because populations are smaller and more dispersed.
In contrast, urban residents usually have access to a wider range of transport options, including buses, trains, cycling routes, and walking paths. Therefore, urban transport surveys often focus on reducing congestion and improving existing services, while rural surveys focus on improving accessibility to essential services.
2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.
Rural Businesses, Tourism, Housing, Jobs or Employment, Education or Training, Transport Services or Infrastructure, Health or Social Care Services, Poverty, Deprivation and Development.
2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.
N/A
SECTION 3 -
Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Yes.
3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
Consultation with Rural Stakeholders, publishes statistics, consultation with other organisations and other publications.
3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.
The social and economic needs of rural residents within the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough have been identified through analysis of Council strategies, statistical data, stakeholder engagement, community consultation, and existing research.
Key sources include the Causeway Coast and Glens Community Plan 2017–2030, Community Plan Review (2022), Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Reports (2019/20, 2021/22 and 2023/24), and consultations undertaken through the Community Development Strategy, Age Friendly Strategy and Anti-Poverty Action Plan. These sources highlight issues including limited transport provision, social isolation, increased travel costs, reduced access to services, and barriers experienced by older people, people with disabilities, carers, and other vulnerable groups.
Additional evidence has been gathered through engagement with community organisations, rural residents, statutory agencies, transport stakeholders, and Council Community Planning and Rural Needs publications.
Surveys and Consultation Proposed
A transport survey will be undertaken across the Causeway Coast and Glens area, focusing on rural communities. It will gather information on transport accessibility, travel patterns, barriers to accessing key services, and the experiences of people with disabilities, carers, older people, and those with additional support needs.
3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?
Through Community Planning, Rural Needs Monitoring Reports, Council strategies, and stakeholder engagement, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has identified a range of social and economic needs affecting rural residents.
Key needs include improved access to healthcare, education, employment, community services, and social activities; affordable and reliable transport; enhanced digital connectivity; and support for local businesses and sustainable rural communities. The Council has also identified challenges relating to social isolation, geographical isolation, longer travel distances, and limited public transport provision.
These issues can disproportionately affect older people, people with disabilities, carers, low-income households, and those with additional support needs. Addressing these challenges is essential to improving accessibility, reducing inequalities, promoting economic participation, and enhancing quality of life across rural communities.
3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?
N/A.
SECTION 4 -
Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
In considering the social and economic needs of people living in rural areas of the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough, several key issues have been identified through Community Planning, Rural Needs Monitoring Reports, Council strategies, and stakeholder engagement.
These include limited access to public and community transport, longer travel distances to employment, education, healthcare, and essential services, and the increased costs associated with rural travel.
Consideration has also been given to social isolation and loneliness, particularly among older people, people with disabilities, carers, and those living in geographically isolated communities.
Economic issues include barriers to employment and training opportunities, digital connectivity challenges, access to local services and infrastructure, and the sustainability of rural communities and businesses.
The impact of poverty, fuel costs, and affordability of transport has also been recognised as a significant factor affecting rural residents.
Consideration has been given to the needs of vulnerable groups, including older people, people with disabilities, low-income households, carers, and individuals with additional support needs, who may experience greater barriers in accessing services and participating fully in community and economic life.
SECTION 5 -Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?
Yes.
5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.
The development and delivery of the transport survey have been influenced by the rural needs identified through Community Planning, Rural Needs Monitoring Reports, stakeholder engagement, and previous consultation exercises. These sources highlighted issues including limited public transport provision, longer travel distances, social isolation, accessibility barriers, and the higher costs associated with rural travel.
As a result, the survey has been specifically designed to capture the experiences and needs of people living in rural communities across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough. Particular consideration has been given to understanding barriers to accessing employment, education, healthcare, community services, and social activities. The survey also seeks to gather the views of older people, people with disabilities, carers, low-income households, and individuals with additional support needs who may experience disproportionate transport challenges. This will be facilitated by utilising the Age Friendly coordinator to carry out in-person outreach.
The findings will be used to inform future transport planning, service development, and policy decisions, ensuring that the needs of rural residents are considered and that opportunities to improve accessibility, connectivity, and inclusion are identified.
5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.
N/A.
SECTION 6 - Documenting and Recording
6A. Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by the Public Authority and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.
I confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained and relevant information compiled.
Rural Needs Impact Assessment undertaken by: Community Planning Officer
Division/Branch: Corporate Services
Date: 04/06/2026
Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by: Director Environmental Services
Division/Branch: Environmental Services
Date: 05/06/2026