Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2011 – 2026 SEA Scoping Report Non-technical summary 2 1 Introduction 8 2 Task A1: Relationship with other relevant plans, programmes and environmental objectives 15 3 Task A2: Baseline information 36 4 Task A3: Identifying environmental problems and opportunties 93 5 Task A4: SEA objectives and indicators 98 6 Task A5: Consultation 102 7 Next stages of SEA 104 Appendix A: Consultation Summary of consultation responses 108 • SEA Scoping Report • Non-technical summary Local Transport Plans and Strategic Environmental Assessment The third Wiltshire Local Transport Plan (LTP3) 2011-2026 is the document that will set out the council’s approach to tackling the current problems and future challenges of the transport system in Wiltshire. LTPs have been deemed by government to automatically require a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and to comply with this requirement Wiltshire Council is undertaking a SEA alongside the production of LTP3. The SEA process is a systematic way to examine the likely effects of a plan on environmental, social and economic objectives. The Transport Act 2000 requires most local transport authorities in England to produce and maintain a Local Transport Plan (LTP). LTPs set out the authority’s local transport strategies, policies and implementation programme. The Local Transport Act 2008 sets out the requirements for LTP3s and makes it clear that local transport authorities will be responsible to their communities for the quality and delivery of their respective LTP3s. The Scoping Report This report is a non-mandatory scoping report and has been produced to provide a wide range of consultees information during the early stages in the SEA process. This Scoping Report has been guided by: ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment for Transport Plans and Programmes’, Transport Analysis Guidance Unit 2.11 ‘in draft’ Guidance (DfT, April 2009) A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (ODPM, 2005) The SEA process The SEA process is an iterative process informing each stage of the LTP3 development. The ultimate aim of the SEA is to decide which impacts are likely to be significant and therefore, what the assessment should concentrate on. This has been achieved by the selection of SEA objectives and indicators (see Table NTS 1.1), which will be used to measure the impact of the plan. Stage A: The Scoping Report (this stage) The purpose of this stage is to compile the background information needed for the SEA and at what level of detail. Information will collected on environmental and social conditions in Wiltshire and how these are likely to change and how transport can help to achieve the targets and strategies of other plans and programme. The SEA scoping process provides a selection of SEA objectives, which will be used as criteria which LTP3 will be assessed against. The information contained within this report has, where possible, been aligned with the Local Development Framework Sustainability Appraisal draft Scoping Report. This is particularly relevant for the baseline information where there is a distinct cross-over. Page 2 • • SEA Scoping Report • Stage B: Developing and refining alternatives and assessing effects SEA governing regulations require that each responsible authority confirms the scope of the Environmental Report and what alternatives and types of effect to assess. In conducting a SEA, responsible authorities must appraise the likely significant environmental effects of implementing the LTP and any reasonable alternatives (options).The results of the assessment of alternatives will help in the selection of the preferred ‘options’ for the strategy and could also help in determining the priorities for delivery of these options. Stage C: Preparing the Environmental Report and consultation The main output of the SEA process is the Environmental Report which will be available for consultation along with the draft LTP3. The report presents information on the effects of the draft LTP3. Stage D: Production of the SEA Statement Following adoption of the LTP3, and in order to satisfy the SEA Directive, a SEA Statement will be produced which states how the findings from the SEA and consultation results have been taken into account. This SEA Statement should be made available to stakeholders. Stage E: Monitoring of SEA The SEA Directive specifically requires monitoring of the significant environmental effects of the LTP. A monitoring system will be designed which will monitor the significant effects. SEA objectives The ultimate aim of the SEA is to decide which impacts are likely to be significant and therefore what assessment should concentrate on. This has been achieved through the selection of SEA objectives and indicators which will be used to measure the impact of the plan. Table NTS 1.1 sets out the SEA objectives developed for LTP3. • SEA Scoping Report • • Page 3 Table NTS 1.1 SEA objectives and potential indicators LTP SEA objective Decision making criteria Potential indicators Biodiversity To protect and enhance biodiversity • Will it include actions that cause changes in habitat Condition of SSSIs and geological features and avoid fragmentation or habitat loss? National Indicator (NI) irreversible losses of habitats and 197: Improved local species at all levels. • Will it include actions that affect an area in a way that biodiversity, could have long term effects in relation to species proportion of local lifestyles or irreversible affects where there are no sites where positive known mitigation techniques? conservation management has • Will it include actions that help reach targets or been or is being compromise targets of the local BAPs? implemented. • Will it include actions that affect Natura 2000 sites, SSSIs or other designated sites? Land, soil and water resources To reduce soil contamination and • Will it cause changes in existing soil erosion problems, River quality safeguard soil quality and quantity including the effects of road maintenance? and minimise the impact of the transport system on water • Will it cause the loss or pollution of soils and resources. watercourses which support valued habitats and species? Ensure that Greenfield sites and • Will it reduce the need to develop areas of agricultural quality agricultural land is avoided. land and Greenfield sites? Air quality and environmental pollution To reduce the negative impacts of • Will it cause any changes in traffic that affect an air NI 194: Air quality - % the transportation system on air quality management area? reduction in NOx and quality. Primary PM 10 • Will it affect areas which are likely to experience a 10 emissions through per cent change in traffic flow/nature? local authority's estate and • Will it cause air pollution adjacent to species and operations. habitats known to be susceptible to deterioration in air quality? Climatic factors To reduce the contribution of the • Will it cause a change in traffic flow or a change in NI 185: CO2 from transport system to CO2 emissions. the nature of traffic that would cause changes in fuel local authority use and CO2 which would assist in meeting the target operations. of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide produced? NI 186: Per capita CO2 emissions in the To conserve and enhance • Will it reduce the unavoidable effects of climate local authority area. archaeological sites and features. change? NI 188: Planning to adapt to climate change. Page 4 • • SEA Scoping Report • LTP SEA objective Decision making criteria Potential indicators Historic environment To conserve and enhance features • Will it cause direct impacts on sites or monuments Number of listed and areas of historical and cultural through the provision of new transport infrastructure? buildings lost through value. transport development. To conserve and enhance • Will it cause a change in traffic flows or the nature of archaeological sites and features. traffic that affects townscape, sites and monuments valued for cultural and historic heritage? Landscapes (and townscapes) To protect and enhance the quality • Will it cause changes in traffic flows and the nature of Wiltshire’s landscapes. of traffic in areas valued for their landscape character? • Will it include the introduction of traffic to tranquil areas? To help reduce the impact of • Will it reduce traffic levels, congestion, or the nature transport and improve the quality of of traffic in residential areas/town and village centres. urban and rural centres. • Will it cause changes that reduce the impact of transport on the townscape, which many include changes to highway signage, lighting, street furniture, or introduce features that enhance the character of towns. Population To provide everyone with the •Will it improve provision of public and community NI 175: Access to opportunity to access key services. transport that make key services more accessible? services and facilities by public transport, • Will it improve access for certain equality groups cycling and walking. (race, gender, disability, age, religion and sexual NI 198: Children orientation) and contribute to the DfT goal of promoting travelling to school - greater equality of opportunity for all citizens. This mode of transport includes changes to physical infrastructures and usually used. services. Healthy communities To reduce the need/desire to travel • Will it lead to an increase in walking and cycling Accessibility to GP by car and encourage physical numbers? surgery modes of transport. NI 8: Adult activity rates To reduce