South East Forum For Sustainability

The South East Plan – Chapter 8 Transport

Chapter 8 of the South East Plan is based on but replaces the Regional Transport Strategy (RTS).

From the publication of the draft RTS, prior to its approval by the Secretary of State in 2004, through its incorporation into the South East Plan and the subsequent consultation processes, SEFS has consistently supported many of its policies.

SEFS is pleased that these have been retained in the approved version of the South East Plan. We support in particular those policies which -

• aim to achieve a rebalancing of the transport system in favour of sustainable modes.
• foster and promote an improved and integrated network of public transport services.
• encourage development that is located and designed to reduce average journey length.
• include measures to minimise negative environmental impacts of transport and where possible to enhance the environment and communities through such interventions
• support and develop the role of regional spokes by developing a complementary and integrated network of rail and express bus/coach services.
• reduce the environmental impact of surface access to airports increasing modal share in favour of public transport and sustainable modes.
• include a rural dimension to transport and traffic management policies, including looking for opportunities to improve provision for cyclists and pedestrians between towns and their nearest villages.

 SEFS is particularly pleased that the Secretary of State has agreed that policies which promote demand management should be prioritised and that the transport system should play its proper role in tackling climate change.

SEFS continues, however, to have serious concerns over a number of schemes included in the list of programmed interventions, the delivery of which would not only tend to work against policies to rebalance the transport system in favour of sustainable modes but would add to the difficulties in achieving reductions in CO₂ emissions in line with the Climate Change Act requirements.

Having reached  this point with a document that has involved many hours of work over several years for those associated with its production it is imperative that its status not only as a legal but a living document is recognised at all levels. 

The Transport Chapter of the South East Plan provides the context within which local authorities (transport and/or planning) will review their local transport plans (LTPs) and their local development frameworks (LDFs).  SEFS is confident that local campaigners and local groups will do their best to ensure that this happens.