Bedfordshire Local Transport Plan 2006/07 - 2010/11

The preceding sections of this chapter have described a number of strategies for specific aspects of local transport.  In this final section we show how these strategies will combine to deliver the Shared Priorities for LTPs (introduced in Chapter 2).

Figure 2 ‘Strategy contributions to LTP objectives and shared priorities’ below summarises the role that each of the strategies will play in helping deliver our seven objectives described at the end of Chapter 4, four of which cover the same issues as the Shared Priorities.

Managing Congestion

As minimising any growth in congestion is one of our objectives, the above figure shows that most strategies will contribute in some way.  The implementation of the Major Projects Strategy and the Network Management Strategy are central. The efficient use of the network is a key tool for reducing congestion, and is one of the key elements of the consolidation theme for the LTP.  This approach also has the added benefit of improving conditions with minimal environmental impact. A number of other strategies contribute by providing alternatives to car travel and helping to manage car use.

As shown in Chapter 3, by around 2016 we expect to see an overall reduction in inter-urban congestion in Bedfordshire, and a limited worsening of urban congestion. This is likely to be the position at the end of this LTP period in 2011. Uncertainties over data, timing of development, delivery of some of the larger projects and the impact of our strategies all make congestion targets inappropriate. Nevertheless, we have included traffic growth targets in Chapter 7, and will hopefully add congestion indicators and targets as experience develops.

Tackling Accessibility Problems

The main driver for this shared priority is obviously the Accessibility Strategy itself which will focus on reducing social exclusion. However, other strategies described in this chapter, such as those for public transport, are essential to delivering improved accessibility.

As discussed earlier in this chapter, initial findings from work on accessibility show that new initiatives will be concentrated on specific localised projects to reduce social exclusion. The LTP strategies complement the work on accessibility by improving infrastructure, providing choices and encouraging modal shift; all of which can improve the lives of those at risk from social exclusion.

We will focus on public transport accessibility for young people in this LTP and have set two targets in Chapter 7 to support this emphasis. These targets are part of our 'consolidation' theme for this LTP. Given our objective on accommodating growth, we have also added a supporting indicator to monitor the accessibility of new development.

Improving Road Safety

Our Road Safety strategy will be the main way to deliver this shared priority and the means to deliver this are all in place. With our successful Casualty Reduction Partnership now being more clearly set within the LTP context, the prospects for continued progress are good.

Other strategies with significant impact for achieving safer roads include Motorcycling, Network Management and Asset Management which aim to improve the way networks are used.  Policies in the Community Safety Strategy will supplement LTP strategies to improve safety by tackling the issue of vehicle and transport related crime.

Improving Air Quality

Our approach to tackling the problems of poor air quality is in reality a collection of actions which when added together aim to reduce the impact of traffic and transport on the environment. We will meet the requirements of this shared priority by establishing and maintaining links with the external agencies responsible for monitoring air quality (the District Councils and Highways Agency), helping develop Air Quality Action Plans and taking an active role in the management of traffic through sensitive areas. A joint Member Steering Group is already established for the Bedford area to steer this work.

The Network Management strategy and the implementation of Major Projects will be of benefit to this shared priority because they will lead to a more efficient use of the network. The completion of the infrastructure programme will help to reduce the impact of traffic in existing centres and allow planned growth to take place with minimal impact.

Measures which improve air quality do not necessarily meet other county and district objectives. For example, measures to reduce the number of cars in town centres may have an adverse effect on economic viability. We will work with stakeholders to establish acceptable solutions to air quality and environmental problems.

Of prime significance is the requirement of the LTP to help tackle the transport causes of air pollution. UK and European policies introduced since 1990 have led to significant reductions in emissions and dramatic improvements in air quality enabling significant progress towards air quality objectives. There have also been benefits in reducing the health and environmental impacts of air pollution.

Our own LTP objective focuses on local air quality, but also includes protection of the built and natural environment, and the wider issue of climate change. Our use of Strategic Environmental Assessment to consider all these and other quality of life issues to inform this LTP was described earlier in Chapter 4.

Given the declaration of Air Quality Management Areas in Bedfordshire, we will help prepare the action plans that need to be completed by October 2006, and then set an associated LTP target.

While we are not solely responsible for measures to improve air quality, transport is clearly having impacts in Bedfordshire that need to be addressed.  As already demonstrated, the overriding environmental issue for Bedfordshire is one of minimising the additional impact of the Growth Area.

Summary

This chapter and the strategies it describes form the heart of our Local Transport Plan.  Each strategy explains the main issues it will tackle and how.

The LTP ties all these strategies and all the bodies responsible together, to create a focal point for action. Together, these strategies will help achieve our objectives, and through them ensure our transport networks are best placed to meet the challenges ahead.

The final two chapters of the LTP describe the schemes we intend to deliver with the resources available through the LTP and how we intend to monitor progress.