BOYACK GUIDES THE WAY FORWARD FOR LOCAL TRANSPORT STRATEGIES

Revised guidance on the preparation of integrated local transport strategies has been published by Sarah Boyack Minister for Transport and the Environment.

The guidance is the result of examination of interim reports submitted by Scottish local authorities and Strathclyde Passenger Transport. Both documents are designed to offer practical advice and examples of local authority good practice in preparing local transport strategies.

The Audit of Preliminary Local Transport Strategies and Road Traffic Reduction Reports reviews interim reports and sets out examples of good practice. The Guidance on Local Transport Strategies and Road Traffic Reduction Reports takes the interim strategies a step further by setting the framework for local authorities to prepare their full strategies for submission in 2000.

Sarah Boyack, said: 'Local authorities are central to the successful development of an integrated transport system. Only they can provide the necessary strategic leadership in their local communities, working in partnership with the Executive, business and public transport operators.

'I encourage all local authorities to take advantage of Local Transport Strategies to think about their transport problems and the opportunities available to them. I believe that local authorities can make a real difference to everyday journeys - whether on foot, by cycle, public transport or the car - by establishing coherent transport strategies for their areas.'

BACKGROUND

1. During 1999, the Executive received interim local transport strategies and Road Traffic Reduction (RTR) Reports from all 32 local authorities and Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT), in response to the preliminary guidance issued in February 1999. Local authorities were not obliged to submit interim strategies or RTR reports. In the event, all did so.

2. Most of the interim strategies also included at least some preliminary material relating to the preparation of an RTR report and a few authorities provided fairly detailed reports on traffic monitoring and target setting.

3. Full strategies are due to be submitted by 31 October 2000, covering the period 2001/02 to 2003/04. The Road Traffic Reduction Act (1997) requires that local authorities assess levels of road traffic on local roads and set targets for traffic reduction. This Act is expected to be commenced in shortly.