News Release : 09 August 2001

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY WELCOMES NEW HIGHWAYS AGENCY RESEARCH ON ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

THE SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY has welcomed yesterday's announcement by the Highway's Agency of a new study into the ways of minimising the impact of roads on the environment.

The Highways Agency announced that they will be investigating solutions to reduce the possible environmental effects of a number of proposed road improvement schemes, including the M20 Junction 10 in Kent and the A23 Handcross to Warninglid in West Sussex, on their surrounding areas.

The Regional Assembly had recommended to the Secretary of State that these were schemes of regional significance. The announcement by the Highways Agency means that the Government has accepted the case put forward by the Regional Assembly and is committed to improving the strategic transport infrastructure serving the South East.

Martin Tugwell, Head of Regional Transport Planning at the South East England Regional Assembly, said: "These studies recognise that there will be a continuing need to invest in the highway network. The two schemes covered by these studies address real concerns locally that have significant implications for the future development of the highway network."

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
   
   
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
   
   
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
   
   
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
   
   
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007

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