Overview
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the current (as at 2001/02) Regional Transport Strategies, and to produce a good practice guide for the further development of Regional Transport Strategies.
The objective of the guide resulting from this project is to assist in the development of strengthened RTS documents and more effective processes for their production over the next two years. It is intended as a practical tool for Regional Planning Bodies (RPBs), Government Offices for the Regions(GOs) and other organisations engaged in the RTS process. The guide offers advice, clarification and examples of good practice in relation to main issues and considerations in producing a RTS. The focus for the guide is on strengthening the process and content of the draft RTSs produced by RPBs. It does not provide advice on the Public Examination of the RTS, the Panel Report and modifications by the Secretary of State (for Planning).
Funding
Results
The contractor has critically assessed the Regional Transport Strategies, organised a series of regional seminars with the RTS stakeholders and held interviews with headquarter officials (DTLR). A good practice guide has been produced to inform interested stakeholders (e.g. Regional Planning Bodies, Government Office) and to strengthen future Regional Transport Strategies.
The research considered the main issues, difficulties, pressures and areas of confusion faced by those producing Regional Transport Strategies (RTS) as well as identifying good practice examples and aspects of the RTS process that had worked well. The research was intended to be forward-looking to help inform the production of a guide.
The guide:
Deals with guidance for main policy roles and linkages for the RTS at a:
• National level: adding value to national policy in terms of Multi-modal studies, roads, railways, airports, ports
• Regional level: integration with the spatial strategy of the Regional Policy Guidance (RPG) for both transport and related land use section; integration with other regional strategies such as Region
Policy implications
This project constitutes guidance for policy makers in formulating consistent regional transport strategies. It has implications at a national, regional and a sub regional level.
A Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) is an important element of Regional Planning Guidance (RPG). The main purpose of RPG is to provide a regional spatial strategy over a fifteen to twenty year period, and a framework for the preparation of both local authority structure and development plans and Local Transport Plans (LTPs).
RegionalKey Findings
The purpose of the research was to identify how RTSs and the processes for their production can be improved. The research covered all the regions of England, excluding London. In each region a review was undertaken of relevant documentation, interviews were conducted with the Regional Planning Body and Government Office, and a seminar was held which also involved other stakeholders. The research considered the main issues, difficulties, pressures and areas of confusion faced by those producing RTSs, as well as identifying good practice examples and aspects of the RTS process that had worked well. The research was intended to be forward-looking to help inform the production of this guide.
In particular, the guide focuses on:
- Policy Roles and linkages for the RTS
- The process of producing the RTS
- The structure for the RTS
- The content of the RTS
- Checklist of good practice
Policy Implications
This project constitutes guidance for policy makers in formulating consistent regional transport strategies. It has implications at a national, regional and a sub regional level. A Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) is an important element of Regional Planning Guidance (RPG). The main purpose of RPG is to provide a regional spatial strategy over a fifteen to twenty year period, and a framework for the preparation of both local authority structure and development plans and Local Transport Plans (LTPs).
Decision-support toolsKey Findings
No results directly relevant to this theme. However,