Regional Transport Strategy
The Regional Transport Strategy is intended to be used to guide
decisions on investment and management in the transport network
until it is replaced by the approval of the Regional Spatial
Strategy (RSS) which will set the regional framework for
development.
The Council seeks to influence regional transport issues
effecting Bath & North East Somerset through representing the
Council at Regional Planning Conferences and by working closely
with neighbouring authorities.
The Council's transport policy is also guided by the Regional
Transport Strategy (RTS). The RTS supports the
Regional Planning Guidance for the South West.
To find out more about the RTS visit www.southwest-ra.gov.uk
Aims
The overall aim of the RTS is to ensure that land-use
planning and transport planning are fully integrated in order
to:
- Steer new development to more sustainable locations
- Reduce the need to travel and enable journeys to be made by
more sustainable modes of transport.
The strategy aims to demonstrate the relationship between
transport and land use. In particular, it recognises the wider
spatial issues relating to social inclusion and environmental
quality which influence and relate to personal mobility, access to
employment opportunities as well as health and safety.
The strategy provides the strategic transport framework for the
Local Transport Plan and Development Plan. It also provides an
important mechanism for delivering the government's objectives as
set out in Transport 2010, The Government's 10 Year Plan for
Transport.
Objectives
The RTS has 5 key objectives
- To support the spatial strategy of RPG 10 and to service
existing and new development efficiently and in an integrated
fashion
- To reduce the impact of transport on the environment......
which is increasing as a result of growth in road traffic, noise
and pollution, by:
- Reducing the need to travel, encouraging travel by more
sustainable means (especially by walking and cycling).
- Locating development at accessible locations, particularly by
public transport;
- Achieving environmental improvements by directing investment to
those locations where infrastructure is required to offset the
damaging effects arising from the impact of traffic and
transport.
- To secure improved accessibility...... to work, shopping,
leisure and services by public transport, walking and cycling
- To create a modern, efficient and integrated transport
system...... that will meet the demands of a dynamic regional
economy, help overcome regional peripherality and meet all travel
needs.
- To ensure the safe use of the regional transport
network......and it's associated facilities.
