Inadequate investment in local transport solutions
National governments (and supporting donor agencies) have concentrated on road networks. Comparatively little money or time has been invested in the promotion of intermediate means of transport for rural people. There is a need to redress the imbalance and emphasise local transport interventions that benefit the majority or rural households. Road in Zimbabwe, with a women and a simple ox cart waiting by the bus stop, as women carry water to the village.

Road in Zimbabwe, with a woman and a simple ox cart waiting by the bus stop, as women carry water to the village.

Photograph by Paul Starkey ©

Photograph by Paul Starkey ©

 Transport remains a major constraint for people living close to this tar road in Guinea. Few local transport solutions are available.

Ethiopia has some well-engineered roads, which carry very little traffic. Due to lack of intermediate means of transport and rural transport services, people often walk long distances along such tar roads.