Testun llawn:
Strategic Viison
Centro welcomes the overall spatial vision or the district and especially the identification of transport as an important issue. Centro in particular welcomes the emphasis of delivering a sustainable transport package as one of the key principles within the Local Plan.
Centro welcomes that improving access to sustainable means of transport is a key strategic objective running through the document. Warwick DC should ensure that new proposals must be consistent and follow the principles established within the Warwickshire Local Transport Plan with the aim of improving modal share for sustainable means of transport.
The need to continue to invest in public transport across the district is welcomed as well as the recognition that strategic land use decisions can affect lifestyle choices and lead to long term improvements in health amongst local communities.
We also consider that there are a number of policy documents serving the West Midlands Metropolitan Area that should be considered whilst developing the Local Plan.
1. West Midlands Local Transport Plan
The West Midlands Local Transport Plan 2011 - 2026 (LTP) is a statutory document which looks at the transport needs of the Metropolitan Area and sets out a way forward to deliver those needs through short, medium and long term transport solutions.
The LTP has town parts:
The Local Transport Strategy - covering the 15 year period 2011 - 2026
The Implementation Plan - which details how we will deliver the first five years of the strategy (2011 - 2016)
2. Centro Integrated Public Transport Prospectus (IPTP)
The Integrated Public Transport Prospectus outlines a vision for a prosperous, healthy inculsive and sustainable West Midlands, served by a world class public transport system. The IPTP is currently being revised by Centro with the intention of a public consultation draft available from January 2013.
3. West Midlands Rail Vision
The West Midlands Rail Vision provides the region with a strategic focus for existing passenger and freight services and future rail development that will serve the West Midlands Region. This is currently being revised by the Regional Rail Forum.
HS"
Centro is disappointed that the Local Plan opposes the preferred route for the proposed High Speed Rail Line between London and Birmingham that will pass through the district boundary.
Centro believes that through the Local Plan Warwick District Council should consider and address the strategic importance of the proposed High Speed 2 Interchange station at Birmingham Airport. Whilst recognising that High Speed Rail servies will not be commencing before 2025, the station is expected to act as a catalyst for economic development and its proximity to Warwick District Council can benefit from the improved accessibility that HS2 will bring.
Rail
The recent High Level Output Specification Programme announcement made by the Department for Transport will enable the electrification of existing rail lines that will improve accessibility and reliability of rail services.
The routes to be electrified as part of the Electric Spine and other previous agreed projects include the Southampton Port - Basingstoke - Reading - Oxford - Leamington - Coventry.
This will allow operation of electric freight and longer distance passenger trains over this route. It would also enable the proposed NUCKLE Phase 2 service to be electrically operated and linked into other local services on teh Birmingham - Coventry corridor increasing through journey opportunities and connectivity to Birmingham, Birmingham International, NEC and HS2 Interchange from Leamington and Kenilworth.
It is expected that these improvements will be made during either Control Period 5 (2014 - 2019) or Control Period (2019 - 2024) both of which will occur during the Local Plan's lifespan. Centro strongly encourages Warwick DC to integrate the line and service improvements into the evolving Local Plan.
Bus
Centro would like to see greater reference within the core strategy to the role of buses in making cross boundary journeys into the West Moiands Metropolitan Area. Centro's adopted Integrated Public Transport Prospectus idnetifies the importance of the 'Journey to Work' area bus services between metropolitan West Midlands and major centres within the Warwick DC. Continued support and promotion of these services will help to reduce the use of the private car whilst encouraging sustainable travel options.
For further information on the Integrated Public Transport Prospectus, please see P40 in the link below: www.centro.org.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.aspx?ID=5362
Centro stresses that a high quality public transport network can assist in sustainable economic growth and regeneration, whilst also ensuring that the West Midlands transport sector contributes to the wider challenges including reducing climate-changing emissions. It is essential that investment into the provision of high quality public transport facilities and services to serve new and existing development is made from the outset in order to encourage use of more sustainable modes.