SECRETARY OF STATE’S RESPONSE TO SOUTH COAST MULTI-MODAL STUDY
The South Coast study was set up to develop a transport strategy for the corridor between Southampton and Margate which addresses congestion, safety and environmental problems and supports regeneration and economic growth. Three road schemes on the A27 were specifically remitted to the study for consideration – the proposed Arundel bypass, proposed bypasses of Wilmington and Selmeston, and improvements at Southerham-Beddingham.
The analysis carried out by the study provides a framework for considering future transport investment decisions in the study area. The recommended strategy includes enhancements to the strategic road network to tackle congestion alongside measures to improve access to ports and airports, improve public transport, manage future growth in travel demand and provide balanced choices for transport users.
We have already announced our intention to take forward a number of trunk road improvements which will benefit the study area including:
· M27 technology improvements
· Small scale improvements to the A27 between Worthing and Lancing
· A21 Lamberhurst bypass
· A21 Tonbridge to Pembury dualling
The Secretary of State is today agreeing to the inclusion of the A21 Tonbridge to Pembury scheme in the Targeted Programme of Improvements.
The study has made recommendations for further improvements to the trunk road network. The Secretary of State has considered these in the light of the advice he has received from the Regional Assembly, the Highways Agency and other interested organisations including the Statutory Environmental Bodies. In particular, he has been mindful to ensure that we balance the need for improved accessibility against the potential impact of schemes on the environment. The Government remains committed to its policy presumption against new or expanded transport infrastructure that will adversely affect environmentally sensitive areas and sites, except where there is an overriding public interest in the development proceeding.
In the light of the above considerations, the Secretary of State has concluded that he is unable to support a number of trunk road schemes which would impact on environmentally sensitive areas. His response on specific schemes is set out below.
The Secretary of State confirms his support for the following scheme:
· M27 widening between junctions 3 and 4, climbing lane between junctions 11 and 12, junction improvements and introduction of improved technology.
The Secretary of State is asking the Highways Agency to carry out further detailed work on this scheme and to bring forward proposals for entry into the Targeted Programme of Improvements. In particular, he is asking the Agency to ensure that detailed design work is carried out to high environmental standards in order to minimise any adverse environmental impacts. Subject to the successful completion of all necessary planning and statutory procedures, the Secretary of State would expect to see the scheme delivered over the next decade.
The Secretary of State also accepts that improvements on the A27 at Beddingham are required to address safety issues at the level crossing. However, this scheme runs through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is in the area designated for the South Downs National Park and would have significant landscape impacts. In view of the importance of the level crossing issue, the Secretary of State is asking the Highways Agency to review the current scheme and report back as soon as possible on options with a particular emphasis on minimising any impact on the sensitive surrounding environment. A bridge over the railway appears to be the best way of resolving the safety issue but the Secretary of State is not prepared to accept dualling of this section of the A27.
The Secretary of State does not support the following schemes on the A27 as currently recommended by the study:
· improvements through Worthing and Lancing in the form of a tunnel or tunnels;
· Chichester bypass improvements;
· a bypass of Arundel;
· bypasses of Selmeston and Wilmington.
Each of these schemes would have significant environmental impacts. A tunnel at Worthing would impact on regionally important groundwater sources. It also has a very high cost. Improvements to the Chichester bypass would impact on a number of aspects of the local environment. A bypass of Arundel would have negative impacts on heritage and landscape as well as the water environment. The bypasses at Selmeston and Wilmington would adversely impact on the Sussex Downs AONB and surrounding landscape and on biodiversity.
Taking these schemes forward in the form proposed would not be consistent with our policy presumption against new or expanded transport infrastructure that adversely affect environmentally sensitive areas and sites, except where there is an overriding public interest in the development proceeding.
The Secretary of State is therefore asking the Highways Agency to work with local authorities and Statutory Environmental Bodies to identify less damaging options, including management measures which reduce the need for major road construction, and to report back to him. The Secretary of State recognises the importance of finding solutions which are capable of delivering planned housing and economic growth.
Revised proposals for the Worthing – Lancing section of the A27 should take account of the effectiveness of the measures already being taken forward to improve key roundabouts, introduce traffic calming and improve public transport services.
The following schemes recommended by the study may be justified in the longer term, subject to satisfactorily resolving potential environmental impacts, but the Secretary of State is not asking the Highways Agency to prioritise work on them at this stage:
· improved Dover access via A2 capacity improvements between Lydden and Dover;
· A27 upgrade between the M27 and A3(M).
The Secretary of State is also asking the Highways Agency to review safety and other local issues along the corridor in the light of its South Coast Route Management Strategy, including the section between Pevensey and Brenzett and, where necessary, bring forward appropriate remedial measures.
We are already providing a significant increase in resources to local authorities to deliver improved local transport services in the areas covered by this Multi-Modal Study.
The Multi-Modal Study has recommended one local road scheme to be taken forward: the Bexhill – Hastings link road. This scheme is part of the package of regeneration measures for Hastings which is being developed following our decisions on the Access to Hastings Multi-Modal Study announced in July 2001. The Secretary of State recognises that that this road will have some impact on the environment. He is therefore asking East Sussex County Council to work closely with the Statutory Environmental Bodies in developing this scheme in more detail, in order to minimise the environmental impacts. Further consideration will be given to funding in the light of the performance of the scheme against our appraisal criteria including environmental impacts. The Secretary of State is also asking the Highways Agency to liaise with East Sussex County Council and the Statutory Environmental Bodies in addressing issues of access between the Link Road and the A21.
The study also recommended a set of measures for tackling congestion in the main towns along the corridor including:
· a package of improved bus services focussed on a number of urban areas in the corridor;
· park and ride sites
· demand management measures including increased parking charges and, in the longer term, cordon charging;
· in the longer term a light rail scheme for Brighton and an extension of the South Hampshire light rail scheme from Fareham to Southampton.
The Secretary of State encourages local authorities in the study area to work with local partners and delivery agencies to develop the shorter term proposals in more detail and, where appropriate, submit proposals for funding to the Department through the Local Transport Plan process. Where appropriate provision of funding will depend on the performance of schemes against our appraisal criteria.
The Secretary of State is also asking local authorities to give careful consideration to recommendations for local congestion charging. To facilitate the establishment of cordon charging schemes, the Government commits that any local authority which introduces its own scheme before 1 February 2011 under the powers already available will continue to keep the revenue for the first decade after implementation, even if a national scheme is subsequently introduced.
The Secretary of State is content for the light rail schemes recommended by the study to be identified as possible longer term measures but he does not consider that work on these should be prioritised at this stage. In addition, he would expect alternative lower cost bus-based options to be fully considered should further work on these proposals be taken forward in the future.
The Secretary of State endorses the recommendation of the study for the promotion of measures to reduce travel demand and encourage more sustainable travel choices and he looks to local authorities to take these forward. In particular, the guidance on Local Transport Plans asked authorities to set out how they would work with employers, schools and other local organisations to develop travel plans. They publish annual reports of progress on implementing their LTPs. They should also use their powers under the development control process to require travel plans for all new developments with significant transport implications. Guidance on these powers is contained in "Using the planning process to secure travel plans" which we published jointly with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in July 2002.
The Secretary of State also supports the recommendation from a number of studies on the need for close integration between land use and transport policies. Current national planning policy already places a strong emphasis on locating development in appropriate locations to promote sustainable transport choices and reduce the need to travel, especially by car. The Secretary of State looks to local planning authorities to locate major generators of personal travel in areas best served by public transport.
Any additional revenue costs arising from the implementation of local transport improvements and measures to reduce travel demand would need to be met from local authorities’ own resources.
The study has recommended the following rail improvements:
· rolling stock improvements;
· double tracking between Ashford – Hastings and Fareham – Botley;
· new stations;
· a new chord at Eastleigh;
· service enhancements throughout the corridor including 5 trains per hour, at existing stations between Bexhill and Ore.
The Regional Assembly has additionally recommended further consideration of the Willingdon Chord.
In considering these recommendations it is important to recognise the significant programme of rail improvements which is already being taken forward which will support achieving the objectives of the South Coast study. These include:
· a new hourly service between Ashford and Brighton from late 2005 with air-conditioned, high quality rolling stock and a journey time of around 100 minutes;
· replacement by December 2004 of slam door rolling stock on South Central, South Eastern and South West Trains franchises with air-conditioned rolling stock with power supply upgrade and enhanced depot facilities for new rolling stock;
· Route Utilisation Strategy to be carried out for the Brighton mainline in 2004 which will take into account multi-modal study outputs;
The scale of funding that we are already putting into the railways means that our capacity to deliver additional significant investment recommended by the Multi-Modal Studies is inevitably limited. However, the Secretary of State encourages the SRA to examine the scope for delivering the study’s rail objectives as part of its planning activities, such as the Kent / South East Regional Planning Assessment, and including work on capacity utilisation. He considers that the Willingdon Chord should be regarded as a longer term proposal and he is not asking the SRA to prioritise work on this scheme at this stage.
It is for the delivery agencies, in particular the Highways Agency, Strategic Rail Authority and local authorities in the study area, to develop their programmes in the light of the Secretary of State's response to study recommendations. A co-ordinated approach to implementation may be needed on some issues. The Secretary of State is therefore asking the Government Office to liaise with the Regional Assembly and the delivery agencies in developing appropriate co-ordination arrangements.
DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
9 JULY 2003