Public health news: Social Determinants of Health

The conditions in which we are born, live, work and age all influence our health and wellbeing.

Public health news: March 2025

In this edition we are focusing on transport.

Research by Transport for the North (TfN) reveals that 3.3 million people across the North of England live in areas where there is a high risk of transport-related social exclusion (TRSE).

In South Tyneside over 54% are at risk of this, compared to 24.9% in Sunderland or 6.5% in Newcastle.

In September 2024 we held a transport equalities workshop to help us with a transport needs assessment. We talked about some of the existing examples of good practice:

  • Active travel and use of public transport is encouraged
  • There is good provision of public transport that use the same tickets
  • New routes are being developed
  • There are discounts and concessions available
  • Information to support travel is available

However, some of the barriers discussed were:

  • Difficulties in booking a journey
  • Not being aware of the information and concessions that are available
  • Not being able to get to the bus stop or metro station
  • Difficulty getting on or off buses or metros
  • Difficulty getting a seat on buses or metros
  • Anti-social behaviour on public transport and at bus stops or metro stations

The next stage in the development of the transport needs assessment is to talk to people in South Tyneside in:

  • Schools
  • Healthcare settings
  • Workplaces
  • Community settings

If your organisation can host a conversation, please contact mary.fairfield@southtyneside.gov.uk.

Existing support that is available includes:

Journey planning

Anti- social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour on transport can be reported at:

This service is to be used when you want to contact the British Transport Police about an issue that doesn't require an emergency response. For example:

  • You want to tell about an incident that has already happened
  • You want to tell us about issues affecting your rail journey or your local station
  • You have a general police enquiry

If your enquiry concerns buses or roads, you can contact local police anywhere in the country by dialling 101.