Centro welcomes the overall spatial vision for 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 principle's 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 two 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, inclusive 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

Centro would like to see greater reference within the core strategy to the role of buses in making cross boundary journeys into the West Midlands Metropolitan Area. Centro's adopted Integrated Public Transport Prospectus identifies the importance of the 'Journey to Work' area bus services between metropololitan West Midlands and major centres within Warwaick DC. Continued support and promotion of these services will help to reduce the use of the private car whilst encouraging sustainable travel options.

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 the Birmingham - Coventry corridor increasing through journey opportunities and connectivity to Birmingham, Birmingham Airport, NEC and HS2 Interchange from Leamington and Kenilworth.

It is expected that these improvement will be made during either Control Period 5 (2014-2019) or Control Period 6 (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.