News Release : 18 December 2001

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETS WITH TRANSPORT MINISTER TO DISCUSS SOUTH EAST TRANSPORT ISSUES

Transport Minister, John Spellar and a delegation from the South East England Regional Assembly, led by Councillor Nick Skellett, recently had a valuable meeting on transport issues in the South East.

The meeting was requested by the Regional Assembly, following the Ministerial decision earlier in the year on the Hastings Multi-Modal Transport Study, the first Multi-Modal Study in the country to reach conclusion. In the light of experience with Hastings and other Multi-Modal Studies now underway in the region, the Assembly representatives suggested ways in which the process could be improved. The Minister thanked the Assembly for the constructive suggestions, and emphasised his wish to involve the Regional Assembly actively at all stages of the Study and the decision-making process in future.

The delegation also emphasised the importance of receiving early and firm commitment to further transport initiatives in the Hastings area, to complement the regeneration package that was now being developed by the Hastings Partnership. The Assembly fully supported that initiative. The Minister recognised the concerns and the need for further investment.

The delegation drew attention to the crisis facing bus services in some parts of the region, and the problems in funding sufficient revenue support that is now being faced by County Councils. Specific cases in West Sussex were cited as examples of a lack of co-ordination within the Department. The Assembly would submit further evidence on this issue shortly, and the Minister undertook to give the matter urgent consideration and to review the West Sussex case.

The Assembly referred to a number of other issues including Central Rail, Airlink and the need to support business in the South East with adequate transport infrastructure. The Minister welcomed the Assembly's views.

The Assembly delegation comprised:

• Councillor Nick Skellett, Chair of the Regional Planning Committee and Leader of Surrey County Council
• Paul Bevan, Chief Executive, South East England Regional Assembly
• Mike Gwilliam, Director of Planning & Transport, South East England Regional Assembly.

Nick Skellett, Chair of the Regional Planning Committee, said: "It was extremely helpful to meet the Minister and explain our concerns on the Central Railway proposals, the regeneration of Hastings, Airtrack, and slippages in multi-modal studies. We also took the opportuity to emphasise it was in the national interest for Government to help improve infrastructure within the South East England region."

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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