REGIONAL ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR STRONGER EMPHASIS ON BUS IMPROVEMENTS IN SOUTH COAST STRATEGY

THE SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY HAS AGREED an overall transport strategy for the south coast of England. This strategy is a balanced package of measures which includes highway schemes, public transport improvements and demand management proposals.

The agreed strategy will form the Assembly's formal advice, as the regional planning body for the South East, to Government on the recommendations made by consultants in the South Coast Multi-Modal Study (SoCoMMS). SoCoMMS was a transport study which considered strategic transport issues along the south coast between Southampton in Hampshire to Thanet in Kent.

The Regional Assembly agreed to support:

• The public transport elements of the strategy.
• The rail proposals of the strategy. Particular emphasis should be placed on early improvement to the Ashford/Hastings Line and a new coastal express service.
• The highway proposals, including the need for improvements to the Worthing-Lancing section of the A27. Given the latter's very high costs, further consideration needs to be given to whether other means could achieve the same benefits for less cost.
• The demand management elements of the package which will contribute to the success of the strategy.

The Assembly also agreed to call for more capital and revenue funding for bus improvements as a key part of the strategy.

Cllr Nick Skellett, Chair of the South East England Regional Assembly, said: "The Assembly's Regional Transport Strategy identifies the south coast as an important transport corridor in the region which links us to our neighbouring regions and to Europe. Therefore it is vital that we have a strong transport system along this corridor.

"The strategy which the Assembly has agreed today will ensure that all aspects of transport, including roads and public transport, will be improved as well as encourage a reduction of travel demand through a set of demand management proposals."

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