News Release : 23 July 2004

SOUTH HANTS TRAM NEEDS GO-AHEAD TO BACK REGENERATION

Government must make a quick decision on the future of the proposed South Hampshire tram system to prevent years of delay that will damage plans for regeneration and development in the area.

Following a special resolution at its annual meeting, the South East England Regional Assembly is calling on Government Ministers to give high priority to resolving concerns about costs and give the go-ahead for South Hampshire’s trams as soon as possible.

The Assembly represents all 74 local authorities in the South East region, as well as business, environmental, social and voluntary sector organisations.

Assembly Chair Cllr Nick Skellett said: “We recognise the Government’s concerns about the high cost of light rail schemes but South Hampshire needs a step change in public transport to help drive social and economic improvements and regeneration. It will also support development needs emerging from our work on the new South East Plan – a 20-year development framework for the region. The tram scheme is a critical component of that planning.

“We are already working with local authorities in Hampshire to support the case for this project and we now hope the Government will join us in looking at the benefits of linking the scheme with decisions on jobs and housing to make sure the opportunities for regeneration and improvement in South Hampshire are fulfilled. "

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Head of Communications - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The Department for Transport this week announced a review of planned light rail schemes, including the South Hampshire project, to consider how they could be reduced in cost.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. 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