LTP2 CONSULTATION
This LTP has been developed with consideration to the views, perspectives and aspirations of our stakeholders. Engagement with Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) and other key players has given this LTP a harder edge. Improved deliverability and more focussed targeting of resources form the backdrop to the strategy and they shape the five year implementation programme. This is in recognition that, although the strategy of the first LTP was widely supported, it was generally considered to be let down by the rate of delivery and progress towards its targets.
Consultation and wide engagement has been fundamental to developing strategies
which will tackle issues on a cross-programme basis, linking up with the agendas
of other policy areas and working closely with other bodies including LSPs,
health and Education Authorities, the Highways Agency, the Learning and Skills
Council, the Police and Emergency Services. In particular close collaboration
with public transport operators, on whom so much of the success of this strategy
depends, is a critical success factor for the delivery of this Strategy.
For the purpose of consultation on the second LTP, the South Yorkshire Partners have adopted the guiding principle that members of the public should be involved to the extent that they want and through the means that best suit them. Our definition of public includes anyone outside the LTP Partners, whether they are individual residents, representatives or members of groups, businesses, service providers, neighbouring authorities or other statutory bodies.
In developing our strategies, it has been acknowledged that stakeholder
engagement entails participation, consultation and information or elements of
all three. It was also acknowledged that engagement needed to be carried out at
three key stages:-
Strategic – Overall
objectives, general direction and underlying philosophy of the plan, setting of
strategic indicators and targets;
Programme - Problem identification, priorities for action, distribution
of resources and preferred means;
Scheme Specific – Detailed design and implementation with direct consequences for local residents or users.
LTP2 guidance on consultation is more prescriptive than that for LTP1 and in
affirming the need to produce a document which supports the regions economic,
social and spatial development aspirations, invites interaction with a wider
range of stakeholders and colleagues of other disciplines.
A Stakeholder Strategy Group has been created to oversee the implementation of the stakeholder consultation strategy and comprises officers from the four local authorities, PTE and PTA. As a number of consultative channels already exist within the districts, the group has also concentrated efforts on utilising these opportunities to extol LTP2 engagement and collate examples of partnership working.
Typical responses received from stakeholders during our consultative process are:
Stakeholders generally support the LTP but stress the LTP needs the backing of those with the power to act and are committed to the implementation of the document.
Land Use Policies must be used as a tool to minimise transport investment and maximise transport effectiveness.
The LTP needs to be able to present genuine alternatives to the private car in creating choices of travel.
Transport provision must not be an afterthought. It is felt that this point should be made forcefully.
Stakeholders recognise the need for improved links with people and agencies outside the LTP Partnership to be developed.
Stakeholders express their concern that transport is supposed to be a service to facilitate other activities, not be the main event.
Agreement from stakeholders that the challenge is to develop a transport system that can arrest the decline in bus patronage.
Acceptance that growth will not occur unless it is linked to strong car restraint and effective bus priority measures.
Stakeholders recognise the need for there to be strong co-operation from the Highways Agency in tackling the issues outlined in the LTP.
Stakeholders ask that LTP2 should highlight small scale investment projects which could have large impacts.
Improved physical activity such as walking and cycling should come through more strongly. This would be better packaged as healthier alternatives to the car
The significance of the business community’s contribution and its requirements of the transport system to South Yorkshire ’s economic regeneration needs to be taken into account, balanced against the environmental concerns arising from the traffic impacts of economic growth.
Although the second LTP has now been submitted, we believe that consultation on the programmes and delivery strategies we will be implementing to achieve our objectives is an ongoing exercise which will last until 2011 when the document will be superseded by LTP3.
For further details of ongoing consultation or to make comments on our delivery programmes and strategies, please contact the LTP consultation team
LTP2 Consultation Team
South Yorkshire Joint Secretariat
FREEPOST NEA5307
PO Box 37
Regent Street
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
S70 2PQ