Sir, – The report of Dr Burgess, the Rural Advocate, (D&S, Mar 12) is a damning indictment of the current Government’s failure to address the concerns of rural communities such as ours in the constituency of Richmond.

He rightly highlights the acute lack of affordable housing in rural areas. The fact that only 1.5pc of people in villages have access to fast broadband, as opposed to 60pc in urban areas, is a stark example of the gross neglect of rural communities’ needs. And public transport is simply inadequate for the many in rural areas who are dependent upon it.

As a party, the Liberal Democrats are committed to protecting the heart of rural communities by fighting to protect local post offices, shops and pubs. In Richmondshire, the Liberal Democrats have consistently highlighted these concerns to our Conservative-run council. Yet too little has been done. The supply of affordable housing is woefully short of meeting the needs. Mobile phone coverage is patchy. Bus services are infrequent in the most rural areas.

People in rural communities do not have to put up with years of neglect by Labour and Tories alike. In our neighbouring constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron MP, now Liberal Democrat shadow minister for the countryside and rural affairs, won his seat at the last election after 95 years of apathetic Tory rule by campaigning tirelessly to fight for rural livelihoods. At this weekend’s Liberal Democrat conference, I discussed with Tim and other committed campaigners examples of best practice of support to rural communities from Liberal Democrats on councils up and down the country.

Dr Burgess, the Rural Advocate, is right to highlight the major challenges facing rural communities. He issues a stark warning in the report he submitted to Gordon Brown last week: “Failure to act will put the future viability of our rural communities at risk”. In response, Hilary Benn, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, has said: “We will work closely with colleagues across Government to reflect upon the report...”

Unfortunately, the Government’s reflections to date have been about as fast as the internet connection in Arkengarthdale!

Isn’t it time we had a government that actually did something to help our rural communities?

LAWRENCE MEREDITH Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Richmond c/o Arkle Town, Arkengarthdale.