News Release : 21 February 2001

NEW REGIONAL PLANNING BODY VOTES IN FAVOUR OF M27 SOUTH HAMPSHIRE PROPOSALS

MEMBERS OF THE South East England Regional Assembly voted in favour of the M27 South Hampshire Integrated Transport Study recommendations, when they met last week to decide advice to government on regeneration and transport in the South East.

129 representatives from the region's local authorities, economic, social and environmental bodies attended the first Assembly plenary of 2001 at Aylesbury Civic Centre in Buckinghamshire, where they discussed and voted
on recommendations relating to the M27 South Hampshire report.

The Study output proposals seek to secure some £300 million of investment in transport initiatives along the M27 corridor over the next 15 years, with a further £390 million identified subject to more detailed feasibility work.

Local Assembly member Councillor Ken Thornber CBE of Hampshire County Council said: "The output of the study provides a useful contribution to the development of the transport system serving South Hampshire. It sets out a framework for investment that builds upon the work already begun by local authorities through their Local Transport Plans and identifies a number of key issues that will be considered further as part of the forthcoming South Coast Multi Modal Study."

The Assembly's formal recommendations will be sent to the Secretary of State later this month.

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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