2. Vision, Goals and Challenges

2. Vision, Goals and Challenges
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 We need a vision to drive the Joint Local Transport Plan 3 (JLTP3), a
picture of how our transport network might look in 2026.
2.1.2 This coincides with the timescale for the draft Regional Spatial
Strategy. The homes and jobs the Strategy expects us to deliver is our
biggest challenge. Hence it makes sense to tie the two up.
2.1.3 To guide the JLTP3 there is the shared West of England vision (see
Box 2a), the vision from the Joint Local Transport Plan 2006 to 2011
(see Box 2b) and our Sustainable Community Strategies and
Corporate Plans. These visions remain highly relevant and it is not the
intention of the JLTP3 to revisit them. We need to have aspirations but
be realistic at the same time.
Box 2a: Summary of West of England vision
• A buoyant economy.
• A rising quality of life for all.
• Easier local, national and international travel.
• Cultural attractions that make the West of England a place of choice.
• Approach to delivery that is energy efficient, protects air quality,
minimises waste and protects and enhances the natural and the
built environment.
• Makes positive use of the mix of urban and rural areas.
Box 2b: JLTP Vision 2006 to 2011
The Vision is a transport system that:
• Strengthens the local economy;
• Supports rising quality of life and social inclusion;
• Improves access and links;
• Ensures that alternatives to the car are a realistic first choice for the
majority of trips;
• Offers real choice - affordable, safe, secure, reliable, simple to use
and available to all; and
• Meets both rural and urban needs.
2.1.4 The vision is just the starting point. We will deliver it through a Joint
Local Transport Plan based around the five key goals from the
Department for Transport’s “Delivering a Sustainable Transport
System” (DaSTS) of:
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• Reduce carbon emissions
• Support economic growth
• Promote equality of opportunity
• Contribute to better safety, security and health
• Improve quality of life and a healthy natural environment
2.1.5 We believe these five goals provide a robust basis for the JLTP3,
support the visions and help us focus on delivery. As Box 2c
demonstrates we have taken each goal and shaped a series of
challenges and issues of local importance around them backed up by
robust evidence.
2.1.6 Looking forward to 2026 this vision needs to be seen in the context of a
fast moving world with changing technology, lifestyles, national policies
and Governments and the potential challenges of climate change and
peak oil. We need to be practical and realistic but we still need one
eye on the future.
2.1.7 Indeed the city regions that will prosper in the 21st century will be those
that successfully adapt their approach to travel and transport. Within
densely populated areas the normal choice will be safe, reliable,
comfortable and affordable public transport combined with walking and
cycling. This must be carefully planned to link with the transport
networks in the surrounding rural areas, where the car will continue to
play a major part alongside improved public transport, walking and
cycling.
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Box 2c JLTP3 Goals, Challenges and Evidence
Strategic Goal Our challenge Evidence Local importance
Goal 1: Reduce
carbon emissions
• Reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
• Resilient and adaptable transport
network.
JLTP CO2 study.
Greater Bristol Strategic
Transport Study (GBSTS)
(Atkins 2006) CO2 forecasts.
DaSTS CO2 public transport
study.
Environment Agency Westonsuper-Mare
study.
Rising sea levels, impact on coastal
settlements and transport networks.
Increased occurrence of extreme
weather and resultant adverse
impact (e.g. flooding).
Improve public transport, walking
and cycling to provide attractive and
healthy alternatives to car travel.
Goal 2: Support
economic growth
• Tackle congestion and improve
journey times.
• Promote use of alternatives to the
private car.
• Encourage more sustainable
patterns of travel behaviour.
• Support delivery of houses and
jobs through the draft Regional
Spatial Strategy (RSS).
• Access to employment growth
areas particularly from deprived
neighbourhoods.
• Reduce the adverse impact of
traffic.
• Increase the capacity and
reliability of local and national
transport networks.
• Maintain, manage and ensure
£600m cost of congestion per
year by 2016 (Our Future
Transport, 2008).
Congestion Delivery Plan.
Traffic growth, car ownership
and use higher than national
levels (National Travel Survey
and 2001 Census data).
Rail passengers doubled in
ten years (West of England
Rail Survey).
New homes and jobs through
the draft Regional Spatial.
Strategy (RSS) by 2026.
Greater Bristol Strategic
Transport Study 2006
(GBSTS).
Annual local authority road
Employment growth and
regeneration areas in South Bristol,
Emerson’s Green Science Park,
Weston-super-Mare.
Highways Agency managed
motorway and trunk road network.
Key local transport corridors.
Electrification of Great Western
Mainline.
Joint Transport Asset Management
Plan.
Rights of Way Improvement Plans.
Cycling City.
Bath World Heritage Site
Freight including Avonmouth and
Portbury docks.
Bristol International Airport.
Filton Airfield.
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est use of our transport assets.
• Address potential issues of peak
oil.
condition surveys.
National Highways and Travel
Surveys.
Local Development
Frameworks.
Great Western Route
Utilisation Strategy (Network
Rail 2010).
Electrification of Great
Western mainline (DfT 2009).
Regional Funding Allocation 2
major transport schemes.
Peak Oil report (Bristol Green
Momentum Group, 2009).
Goal 3: Contribute
to better safety,
health and security
• Significantly reduce the number
of road casualties.
• Improve safety for all road users,
particularly the most vulnerable
members of the community.
• Encourage more physically active
travel.
• Design out crime and the fear of
crime.
• Improve air quality in the Air
Quality Management Areas.
• Ensure air quality in all other
areas remains better than the
national standards.
West of England Road Safety
Partnership accident targets
and data.
Powered two wheeler, cyclist
and pedestrian accident
statistics.
Traffic surveys.
Air quality Reviews and
Assessments.
% of population with long term
illness (2001 Census).
Sustainable Methods of Travel
to School Surveys.
Obesity, health, physical
Promote walking, riding and cycling
as healthier travel alternatives.
Air Quality Management Areas in
Bath and Bristol.
New AQMAs being declared for
Keynsham, Kingswood, Cribbs
Causeway and Staple Hill.
Provision and maintenance of cycle
ways and footpaths.
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• Improve personal security on the
transport network.
activity and links to transport –
various studies.
Goal 4: Promote
equality of
opportunity
• Improve accessibility for all
residents to health services,
employment, digital infrastructure
and other local services.
• Assist neighbourhood renewal
and the regeneration of deprived
areas.
• Improve access to services for
rural and remote area residents.
• Reduction in commercial bus
network and cost of fares.
• Disability Discrimination Act
compliant transport network.
10% most deprived wards in
the country in Weston-super-
Mare and Bristol (2001
Census).
% of population with long term
illness (2001 Census).
% of population with mobility
impairments (2001 Census).
% of population aged 75+
(2001 Census).
% of population Ethnic
minorities (2001 Census).
Accession mapping.
Implement the Rights of Way
Improvement Plans (ROWIP).
Bristol Health Service Plan and
Southmead redevelopment.
Existing Joint Local Transport Plan
Action Plans to improve access to
health and employment.
River, road and railway barriers to
movement.
Public transport in rural and remote
areas.
Goal 5: Improve
quality of life and a
healthy natural
environment
• Minimise the impact of transport
on the natural and historic
environment.
• Reduce the number of people
exposed to unacceptable levels
of transport noise.
• Enhance streetscape, public
spaces and the urban
environment.
• Promote better access to leisure
activities and the countryside.
• Enhance the journey experience.
Traffic surveys.
GBSTS.
Environmental Assessments.
Noise surveys and modelling.
Sustainable Methods of Travel
to School Surveys.
Joint Waste Strategy.
Bath World Heritage Site.
Maintain and enhance historic town
and city centres and villages.
Public Realm and Movement
Strategy.
Weston-super-Mare seafront
enhancements.
Cotswold and Mendip Areas of
Outstanding Natural Beauty.
ROWIP access to the countryside
National Cycle Network.
Avon Valley Railway.
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2.2 Cross Boundary Issues
2.2.1 Work is currently being undertaken with our neighbouring authorities
(Wiltshire, Swindon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire and
the Welsh Assembly Government) identifying cross boundary transport
issues. These are likely to include common issues around commuting,
rail services, bus routes, cycle links, freight routes and signing.
2.3 Next steps
2.3.1 None of this chapter is set in stone at this stage. We expect
engagement and evidence gathering to help shape and refine the goals
and challenges. This is a starting point but one based on existing
experience, evidence and Government guidance.
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