The Regional Assembly, or Regional Planning Body in each region in England, has to produce a Regional Transport Strategy as part of its Regional Spatial Strategy. The Regional Transport Strategy is shaped by the delivery programmes of the Highways Agency and Network Rail and influences Local Transport Plans. A Regional Transport Strategy is a statutory requirement of the planning system, as set out in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act of 2004.
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What is the current Regional Transport Strategy?
The existing Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) for the South West is set out in Regional Planning Guidance for the South West (RPG10), published in September 2001. This provides a regional context for transportation planning for the period to 2016 and beyond.
Is a new Regional Transport Strategy being prepared to replace RPG10?
The South West Regional Assembly included a new Regional Transport Strategy to replace RPG10 as part of its draft Regional Spatial Strategy. This new strategy rolls forward policies and proposals to 2026.
What has happened so far?
A 12-week public consultation in the summer of 2006 gave the opportunity to put comments to an independent panel. The Panel were appointed by the Secretary of State for Communication and Local Government to test the soundness of the draft strategy. An Examination in Public was held between April and July 2007 to discuss and test the draft strategy before the Panel. The subsequent Panel report was sent to the Government Office for the South West (GOSW) in December 2007. The recommendations contained within the report have been considered and Proposed Changes were published by (GOSW) on behalf of the Secretary of State for consultation on 22nd July 2008.
Where can I find details of the Proposed Changes and how to comment?
Please click on the link below for more details.
What happens next in preparing the new Regional Transport Strategy?
The consultation on the Proposed Changes will run until Friday October 17th 2008. The Government will then consider all the responses made to the consultation before issuing the revised Regional Transport Strategy by the end of 2008.
