News Release : 04 March 2004

NATIONAL PORTS POLICY NEEDED URGENTLY

GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE A MORE POSITIVE ROLE IN HELPING MAJOR PORTS REALISE THEIR potential in southern England, says the Advisory Forum on Regional Planning for London, the South East and the East of England.

Supporting the House of Commons Transport Select Committee’s call for a national ports strategy, the three Regional Planning Bodies have called for Government to take the initiative and provide guidance on potential growth in international freight, particularly container traffic.

The Forum says a ports policy is essential if regional planners are to identify and provide the transport links necessary to support the development of internationally competitive ports.

Councillor Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Forum and Chairman of the South East England Regional Assembly’s Planning Committee, said: “There is a danger that the UK will lose out to its European competitors unless a coherent long-term ports strategy is put in place quickly.”

Councillor John Reynolds, Chair of the East of England Regional Assembly’s Regional Planning Panel, added: “Ports play a vital role in the UK economy but their full potential will only be realised if private and public sector investments complement each other more effectively than at present.”

Giving London's perspective, Nicky Gavron, strategic planning adviser to the Mayor of London, said: "Regional planners are already working closely with the private sector on implications of possible future developments. It is vital we deliver the road and rail links, in particular, strategic freight by-pass routes around London that are vital to a port's success. These need to be reflected in the investment priorities for the region and Government needs to help the process better. "

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Advisory Forum on Regional Planning for London, the South East and the East of England is made up of members from the South East England Regional Assembly, Greater London Authority (GLA) and the East of England Regional Assembly. The role of the Forum is to advise on planning issues, such as the Mayor of London’s newly published ‘London Plan’, Regional Planning Guidance and water resources, which affect London and its neighbouring regions. Together, the three regions represent 20.6 million people.
2. The Mayor, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the ALG represent London at the Advisory Forum. Please see the website for information on www.london.gov.uk

The East of England Regional Assembly

1. The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) is the designated Voluntary Regional Chamber under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) exists to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of the region through a partnership of elected representatives and appointed representatives from social, economic and environmental interests within the region.
2. EERA is the Regional Planning Body for the East of England, responsible for producing Regional Planning Guidance. Information on the East of England Regional Assembly is available from the EERA website at www.eera.gov.uk

The South East England Regional Assembly

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