Local Transport Plan (LTP3) 2011-2026 - Future of transport in Bracknell
Work is now underway to develop the new Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3). This will replace LTP2 which is due to expire in 2011.
Local authorities have a statutory obligation, under the Transport Act 2008, to develop a transport strategy. The new LTP3 will be developed to address the challenges faced by the transport infrastructure in and around Bracknell Forest. It will cover all modes of transport - including walking, cycling, public transport, car based travel and freight, and will contain policies that meet the Borough’s social, economic and environmental objectives, alongside an implementation plan that will outline how these strategies will be delivered.
The Plan will broadly seek to promote healthier forms of transport, support robust economic growth, reduce road congestion, make public transport a more attractive option, protect the natural environment, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; which will work towards improving the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.
The LTP process has ensured a sustained level of investment, and LTP3 can further act as a mechanism for securing funding; helping to improve the standard of local transport and the choice on offer. More recent achievements have included:
- the completion of a new cycleway and footbridge across Mill Lane;
- accessibility improvements at Bracknell train station;
- an increase in bus patronage, bus punctuality and bus satisfaction;
- Capacity improvements and road junctions including John Nike Way and London Road
- a significant reduction in the number of deaths and serious injuries on Bracknell Forest’s roads;
- a direct bus service to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough from Bracknell without the need to interchange;
- Developing and implementing a transport model for Bracknell Forest. This will aid the transport assessment of strategic and development specific planning proposals
| Stage | Date | Comments |
| Establishing draft objectives | Summer/Autumn 2009 |
Background document - (Consultation period expired on Wednesday 25 November 2009) |
| Identify challenges and solutions | Winter 2009 | |
|
Develop preferred options (Strategy) and targets/timings for delivery (implementation plan) |
Spring 2010 | |
| Develop monitoring framework | Summer 2010 | |
| Consultation Draft LTP3 Strategy and Implementation Plan | Autumn 2010 | |
| Adoption of LTP3 | March 2011 |
Unlike previous local transport plans, which were to be renewed at least every five years, under guidance from the Department for Transport (DfT), local authorities have now been given the flexibility to replace LTP3 whenever they see fit.
LTP3 will cover the period from 2011-2026 in alignment with the duration of the Borough’s Core Strategy Development Plan Document and The South East Plan published by the Government Office for the South East of England (GOSE) in May 2009.
Objectives – A set of objectives will be used to guide the development of LTP3 and to decide which improvements are made to the Boroughs Transport Network. The consultation on the draft objectives has now closed. The responses have been analyzed and are outlined in our first newsletter.
At various stages throughout the production, LTP3 will be subject to the following appraisals to ensure it aligns with current legislation:
- Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
This will assess the likely environmental impact of options for delivery, so that the benefits and any adverse impacts can be weighed up, to influence the rationale behind the methods for delivering our objectives.
- Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)
This will assess the likely impact of options for delivery on Natura 2000 sites. These sites have been given special protective status under European law to protect and enhance species and habitats that are important for nature conservation. These sites include special areas of conservation (SAC), special protection areas (SPA) and RAMSAR sites.
- Equality Impact Assessment
This procedure has been put in place to assess whether there is any inequality in the delivery of transport policy. The objective will be to reduce or remove any such impact.
Certain stages will be subject to public consultation. Information regarding this will be published on the Council's website at the appropriate time.
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