We were delighted to see so many familiar and new faces at this year’s Connect Bude Annual General Meeting. It’s always a pleasure to bring our community together, and this year was no exception.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to our speakers, who brought energy and insight to the event, making it a truly engaging experience for all. A special highlight of the day was Bruce Thompson’s compelling presentation, “Cornwall’s Forgotten Corner?” which shed light on the critical connectivity challenges facing the Greater Bude area.
Key Takeaways from Bruce Thompson’s Presentation
Bruce’s talk painted a vivid picture of the transportation inequality that plagues the Greater Bude area—a region that has long been underserved in terms of public transport infrastructure. Despite the reopening of the Okehampton railway in November 2021, connecting the community to the railhead remains a daunting challenge.
The Rail Desert
Greater Bude, Cornwall’s largest community without direct railway access, also suffers from the poorest bus connections to any rail station in the county. Currently, a bus journey to Okehampton—the nearest railhead—operates only three times daily, effectively creating six-hour gaps. This is in stark contrast to other towns of similar size in Cornwall and Devon, many of which benefit from hourly services.
Missed Opportunities for Growth
Bruce highlighted how the degraded bus service in the Bude corridor has suppressed demand and limited the potential for increasing bus usage. While other areas of Cornwall have seen improved services drive up demand, Greater Bude has been left behind.
A Call to Action
The presentation emphasised that this is more than just a community aspiration—it’s about rectifying a systemic inequality. Poor transport links disadvantage residents, limit economic growth, and contravene government funding conditions that prohibit council borders from disadvantaging residents.
Next Steps for Change
Bruce’s message was clear: it’s time for Devon and Cornwall to collaborate on solutions that eliminate this disparity. Initiatives like the Devon Transport Plan offer hope, but meaningful change will only come with focused effort and investment.
“Not just another community aspiration but about righting a wrong.”
Connect Bude remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for better public transport links, and Bruce’s presentation served as a rallying cry for the community to unite behind this cause.
Thank you to everyone who attended the AGM, supported our vision, and contributed to the ongoing dialogue about Bude’s future. Let’s continue working together to ensure that Greater Bude’s voice is heard and its transport needs are met.
Together, we can transform Cornwall’s “forgotten corner” into a connected, thriving community. You can support us by becoming a free supporter, a paid member, contributing a one off donation, or even just subscribing to our newsletter for more.
Here’s the Presentation
