DIFFICULT decisions about how "scarce resources" can be used to improve transport and keep Lincolnshire's economy thriving will be required, according to a new report.

But despite a lack of cash, Lincolnshire County Council says its aims by 2030 continue to include increasing public transport usage, improving road safety, removing "unnecessary HGVs" off the roads and enhancing air quality.

On a wider scale, the authority also believes transport can continue to help economic growth in both Lincolnshire and the East Midlands.

The draft report, which will form the council's third Local Transport Plan (LTP) from April 1, adds Lincolnshire "must keep pace" with digital technology to enjoy the benefits.

Previous studies by the authority have calculated 36,000 people live in areas with "poor accessibility to services and internet provision".

Report author and accessibility development manager Ian Kitchen said: "What is already clear for both LTP3 and LTP4 is that levels of funding for transport will be greatly reduced from those typically available during the second LTP period.

"This includes both capital funding for physical improvements and revenue funding for running services and routine maintenance.

"As a result, difficult decisions will have to be made about where scarce resources are to be focused in the future. Good transport is essential for a thriving economy and social wellbeing.

"Demand for the movement of people and good across the county continues to put stress on existing transport networks.

"At the same time, there is increasing concern about the impact of transport on the environment, particularly in terms of carbon emissions and climate change.

"Access to the digital infrastructure is the first step to maximising the impact on the economy and to achieving digital inclusion.

"An equally important step is ensuring that everyone has the ICT life skills to take advantage of the opportunities.

"The Digital Connectivity project is putting plans in place to realise the outcome through developing an overarching digital strategy of demand and supply measures for Lincolnshire."

Head of enterprise Justin Brown told the Echo it was clear rural communities "really struggled" with access to services.

He said: "We know, for example, that businesses struggle to win business if they don't have a good quality of broadband.

"A really good example is a county hotel that said they were losing corporate conference contracts because they didn't have a strong broadband signal and can't offer wi-fi.

"That service is the sort of thing the corporate market believes is perfectly natural."

Mr Brown said another example of a need for better access was community groups bidding for lottery funding.

He said they were required to put together petitions, which could be more easily done online.

But Mr Brown said the council was attempting to work with private sector organisations to improve access plus giving communities more information on how to develop solutions.

Highways officials and councillors will consider the draft local transport plan next Monday.

Future spending announcements from the Coalition Government are also expected to help the county council understand the national transport picture.

An online petition on the county council's website asking for wi-fi access in libraries has attracted just five signatures in eight weeks.

The petition, submitted by Robert Irvine, states: "I agree that this would ultimately save library service money while at the same time freeing up resources for those that don't have their own computers."