021003/CAB072 Date: 3 October 2002
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28 Report Number: 021003/CAB072 Date: 3 October 2002 TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL REQUEST FOR DECISION BY CABINET Part I Report Non-exempt Title and Executive Summary: *SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY (SEERA) REGIONAL TRANSPORT STRATEGY TRANSPORT CONSULTATION DRAFT FROM CRISIS TO CUTTING EDGE Executive Summary A brief outline is given of the South East England Regional Assembly Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) Consultation Draft including the associated Vision and proposed Investment Priorities. The impact on the Borough is discussed and Members’ views are sought on the proposed response, highlighted within the report. The deadline for submission of comments was 18 September 2002 and so an officer view, consisting of the highlighted paragraphs, has been submitted to SEERA on the understanding that it may be reviewed following Cabinet consideration and decision. WARD: ALL HEAD OF STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT: Contact Officer: Adrian Neve Extension: 3271 PORTFOLIO: PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION RECOMMENDATIONS: That Members endorse this report as the Borough Council response to the Regional Transport Strategy Consultation Draft. Reasons: To ensure a formal Borough Council view on the Regional Transport Strategy Consultation Draft is submitted to SEERA to inform the development of the finalised Regional Transport Strategy (Items marked * will be the subject of recommendations by Cabinet to full Council; in the case of other items, Cabinet may make the decision, subject to call-in (Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 15)) 021003CAB072 29 Item No. 9 TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL CABINET – 3 OCTOBER 2002 REPORT OF HEAD OF STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT (B) * SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY – REGIONAL TRANSPORT STRATEGY CONSULTATION DRAFT – FROM CRISIS TO CUTTING EDGE Executive Summary A brief outline is given of the South East England Regional Assembly Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) Consultation Draft including the associated Vision and proposed Investment Priorities (021003/CAB072). The impact on the Borough is discussed and Members’ views are sought on the proposed response, highlighted within the report. The deadline for submission of comments was 18 September 2002 and so an officer view, consisting of the highlighted paragraphs, has been submitted to SEERA on the understanding that it may be reviewed following Cabinet consideration and decision. FOR DECISION Introduction (1) The South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) took up its regional planning and transport role in April 2001. One of its early tasks was to review transport policy for the region, of which the Region Transport Strategy (RTS) is to be the result. The Consultation Draft was launched through a workshop held in Chatham and comment was requested by 18 September 2002. To meet this deadline a preliminary officer view has been submitted on the understanding that member endorsement would be sought. The Draft Regional Transport Strategy excludes reference to the future air traffic strategy for the region. This will be brought to a future Cabinet for comment, but clearly needs to be integrated with the Regional Transport Strategy. The Regional Transport Strategy Purpose, Vision and Framework (2) The purpose of the Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) is a partial review of Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) in advance of a review of the spatial strategy for RPG9. The proposed RTS framework is illustrated by the figure “Transport Hubs, Spokes and the Regional Frame” [Annex 1, Map 6.1] of the Consultation Draft. A colour copy of this is appended to this report for Cabinet Members but is available for all Members in the documents on deposit in the Members’ Library. (3) It is stated that the role of the RTS is “…to provide a regional policy framework specifically for South East England” and “…to set priorities for investment across all modes and provide a strategic steer on the role and future development of infrastructure. The RTS will also introduce a strategic land-use and network management framework that encourages greater use of the more sustainable modes of travel throughout the region” [Simon Exon – Assistant Regional Planner in Voice – New and Views From the Regional Assembly Summer 2002] (4) The RTS is to cover the period to 2016 in line with that of RPG9 but a further roll forward of Regional Planning Guidance to 2026 will begin in 2003. (5) The background to the RTS is summarised by Cllr Nick Skellett, Chair of the Regional Planning Committee, in the Voice as follows: 021003CAB072 30 Report of Head of Strategy and Development (continued) “Our region is the largest of all the English regions and is a true powerhouse of the national economy. But this is not matched by a quality transport system. Economically the system does not provide the secure and reliable network of roads and public transport that business needs. Socially, the dominant role of the car and lorry means that not enough is being done to help those without access to a car. Environmentally, the congestion experienced in the region on a daily basis causes pollution, disturbance and environmental damage on a major scale. Overall, the transport system is overloaded and unsustainable in economic, social and environmental terms. There is a growing scepticism that the previous promises of improvements can be delivered and that the system can be made to work better. This lack of confidence affects business investment, creates social resentment, gives rise to fierce protest by environmental groups and makes people reluctant to consider the changes in their own behaviour and life styles that will be essential if we are to realise the full potential of the region.” (6) In light of this background the Vision for the RTS is proposed to be: “Our vision is a high quality transport system to act as a catalyst for continued economic growth and provide for an improved quality of life for all in a sustainable and socially inclusive manner; a regional transport system which by 2021 matches the standards of the best in North West Europe.” Comment (7) The Vision is aspirational but acceptable provided sufficient resources are devoted to transport to achieve necessary improvements. The Borough Council consider that the RTS should be informed fully by the proposals to be promoted through “The Future Development of Air Transport in the UK: South East” that is currently out for consultation. A separate report on this document will be presented to Members at a later date. The RTS must be informed by this document to ensure suitable transport measures are implemented to mitigate any changes in air transport in the region. (8) In developing a policy framework for the draft RTS that would achieve the Vision, SEERA have considered three alternative approaches; “Do Nothing” [Paragraphs 5.10 and 5.11 of the Consultation Draft]; “Predict and Build “ [Paragraphs 5.12 and 5.13 of the Consultation Draft]; and “Rational Reduction” [Paragraphs 5.14 and 5.15 of the Consultation Draft]. (9) It is SEERA’s view that the “Do Nothing” approach would not respond to the region’s pressures and would let congestion dictate a transport equilibrium for the region. This would undoubtedly bring further transport, environmental, economic and social problems. The “Predict and Build” approach assumes increasing capacity in the transport system to meet demand. It has been shown this is not an advisable approach. Aside from the constraints of finance, it would be impractical to continually increase highway and public transport network capacity and such an approach could reinforce dependency on the private car with consequent social, economic and environmental impacts. (10) SEERA foresee that “Rational Reduction” would seek a reduction in the demand for movement within the region but that this would not be compatible with the economic aspirations of the region and could be too heavy handed. (11) The RTS has therefore been based on a combination of approaches and this is termed “Invest and Manage”. This does not rule out provision of additional capacity where it is found to be appropriate but would look to reduce dependency on the private car and lorry through better use of all transport resources. SEERA recognise the importance of action by other agencies, such as Central Government, local authorities and private business, in seeking to achieve the RTS through the “Invest and Manage” approach. 021003CAB072 31 Report of Head of Strategy and Development (continued) Comment (12) The Borough Council supports the principle of the “Invest and Manage” approach as it continues to recognise the importance of the private car whilst seeking to encourage a rebalancing of modes in the future. Furthermore, the “Invest and Manage” approach is endorsed as it does not rule out increasing network capacity, where suitable, but does not look to try and build the region out of trouble. The environmental constraints in the Borough determine that this is not a sustainable long term option. (13) A framework of twenty-five policies is proposed to form the basis of this “Invest and Manage” approach. These policies are listed in full within the RTS Consultation Draft and the RTS Synopsis that are available for viewing in the Members’ library. A summary of those that have an impact on Tunbridge Wells Borough: • focus on the identification and development of transport “hubs”; • invest in transport “spokes” providing access to the hubs; • develop a “regional frame” of strategic transport corridors; • rebalance investment towards improving the quality and standard of alternatives to the car; and • have a positive approach to Mobility Management. (14) “Hubs” are described as sub-regional centres where there is a need for quality transport services to support urban renaissance and the need for car trips will be reduced. The RTS sets Royal Tunbridge Wells midway between the Hubs of Crawley and Maidstone. (15) The “Regional Frame” and “Spokes” would form the strategic network to connect the Hubs and other regions. Comment (16) The establishing of a strategic network of Hubs, Frame and Spokes is also supported subject to the following reservations: • The proposed framework shows a split spoke running east/west between Ashford and Maidstone and the Crawley/M23 corridor.