TIME TO REFINE APPROACH TO MULTI-MODAL STUDIES

THE GOVERNMENT'S MULTI-MODAL STUDIES ARE AN EXCELLENT CONCEPT BUT FUTURE ONES NEED TO HAVE A CLEARER VISION and give greater emphasis to the role that local measures, mobility management measures and investment in the coach and express bus networks can play. These are the key conclusions of a recent review of the Government's multi-modal study programme by the South East England Regional Assembly's Regional Planning Committee.

The Committee concluded that although the multi-modal studies have been crucial in the development of the Regional Transport Strategy for the South East and the case for investment, but the "open book" approach which the Government encouraged when packages of measures were being developed has not been helpful. It has sometimes led to unrealistic expectations amongst stakeholders of what can be achieved and has it made it very difficult to prioritise the region's investment needs.

Cllr Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Regional Planning Committee, said: "Although we have reservations about how multi-modal studies have developed up until this point, we are not throwing the baby out with the bath water. They are important for developing future investment proposals but we want to see an improved approach in future studies and clearer long-term visions.

"The perfect place to start is the much-delayed Southampton to Oxford Study. It is a vital study of the transport corridor north of Southampton and provides a perfect opportunity for the Government to refine and improve the multi-modal study approach to address previous weaknesses and make a convincing investment case."

The Assembly will be writing to the Secretary of State to inform him of the review's conclusions.

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