Archived decisions

Contact: Kevin Travers, ext 7763

1. Summary

1.1 The report provides details on the progress of the South Coast Corridor Multi-Modal Study (SoCoMMS) and the South Hampshire Study. It provides background to the studies, summaries their current position and identifies the steps to be carried out to their conclusion later this year.

2. South Coast Corridor Multi-Modal Study

2.1 SoCoMMS is one of a number of studies commissioned by Central Government which aim to assist in the delivery of transport solutions for the future. These studies are looking at current transport challenges and issues, how these might change over time and how they might best be addressed to serve the needs of people, business and the environment.

2.2 SoCoMMS focuses on a diverse transport network which extends along the south coast in a 150 mile arc between Southampton and Ramsgate in East Kent. The study, which is being carried out by consultants Halcrow, will make recommendations for a long term strategy to address passenger and freight movement needs on the key transport corridors along the south coast.

2.3 The study includes a consideration of travel by road, rail, short sea shipping and other modes for both passenger and freight services. Within Hampshire the core study area encompasses an area stretching from the west coast of Southampton Water to the eastern boundary of the county, thus encompassing the whole of the South East Hampshire Transportation area. To the north the core study area covers the region approximately south of Eastleigh.

2.4 The study is considering the strategic role of the transport system in the corridor within the broad context of land use planning, transport and other policies, taking into account the regional, national and international dimensions. The study includes a review of the current and future transport problems which may inhibit the transport system from fulfilling its role, drawing on previous work such as the M27 Integrated Transport Study. It identifies and assesses options and will make recommendations on an over-arching strategy for the corridor. Measures necessary to deliver the strategy are also being identified and recommendations made on a potential implementation programme.

2.5 The study was formally launched on 26 June 2001. Initial consultations on the problems and issues were conducted in the summer and a summary report produced. This provided useful input to the second phase of identifying potential solutions to the issues raised. A further round of consultations was carried out in October via a study newsletter, meetings with key stakeholders and a series of regional, sub-regional and local workshops. These included a local workshop in Fareham for a range of stakeholders from business, local authorities, environmental groups and transport operators and users. This process has provided further useful information to feed into the study.

2.6 The consultants are now considering the long term vision for travel in the corridor and looking at how the problems and issues identified will be affected by different transport scenarios. A modelling and appraisal framework has been established and is being used to test a wide range of investment scenarios. This work will be used to develop the SoCoMMS strategy from a long list of potential schemes and transport interventions which are being tested in the model. The transport model is being used to assess alternative concepts to a 2030 time horizon. These include alternative road, public transport and demand management scenarios to assess the impact on the highway network and travel demand.

2.7 The overall corridor strategy will be supplemented by a series of local strategies which will consider in more detail the issues relating to a particular area in relation to the overall strategy. The South Hampshire area has been identified as a particular priority for the development of a local strategy and work is being carried out examining the potential for a number of short term schemes along the corridor, including those identified in the M27 Integrated Transport Study.

2.8 The programme for the Study from February 2002 to its conclusion is as follows:

(i) Finalise strategy for consultation - February 2002

(including local strategies)

(ii) Develop consultation strategies - March 2002

(iii) Third round of consultation - April/May 2002

(iv) Final Report - July 2002

2.9 The consultation process will include the production and circulation of a newsletter, together with a series of exhibitions and workshops. It is proposed that the exhibitions will be held between Thursday and Saturday and include evening opening on the Thursday. The workshops will concentrate on disseminating information in the form of presentations and a question and answer session, with formal responses sought from all interested parties.

3. South Hampshire Study

3.1 0n 22 November 2001 a report set out details of the background and context of the South Hampshire Study. The purpose of the study, which is supported by the Strategic Planning Joint Advisory Panel (JAP), is to address the economic, transport and land use need of the sub-region and to inform the next review of the County Structure Plan and as recommended in the Regional Planning Guidance.

3.2 Stage 1 of the Study is a technical analysis of the current situation, for which transport is a significant input. The transportation evaluation provides a strategic assessment of usage of the existing transport network and examines the ability of the network to cater for forecast growth. The report also poses a number of key strategic transport options that will need to be assessed against the wider strategic scenarios proposed in the South Hampshire Study as part of Stage 2 of the Transport Evaluation.

3.3 The evaluation has helped to confirm previously known trends. These reveal an extremely worrying future transport scenario for South Hampshire, which if not properly addressed will have a significant impact on the economy, environment and social well being of those who live, visit and work in the area. Road traffic growth is in excess of national averages and forecast to continue to rise steadily. Peak period congestion is now the norm in most areas and is beginning to spread to other parts of the day and substantial development pressures will exacerbate this situation. Parts of the railway system are substantially underused while other parts suffer from severe capacity problems. Bus services are subject to frequent complaints regarding a range of issues from reliability to accessibility. A freestanding report provides a detailed review of the situation as revealed by the data collection exercise. The overall conclusion of the work is that a fundamental new approach to the planning, delivery and operation of transport is needed to tackle the problems on the scale currently envisaged.

3.4 The evaluation has indicated that there are broadly two main thrusts to any new approach; the `Integrated Management of Transport' supported by a `Holistic Investment Programme' designed to deliver sustainable transport solutions that, in part, will also help to encourage behavioural change. Such an approach will not be without its problems nor be easy to deliver. However, these issues need to be investigated and Stage 2 of the South Hampshire Study provides the opportunity to initiate this process.

3.5 The transport conclusion will be incorporated in the overall South Hampshire Study document when other elements of the work are completed shortly. Stage 2 of the overall study will then commence. This will be consistent with the transportation approach outlined above and will put forward options to meet the transport and development needs of South Hampshire. The evaluation will also reflect national and regional policies, including those shortly to emerge through the Regional Transport Strategy.

3.6 At the JAP meeting on 8 February 2002 a number of assessment options were considered. These are not exclusive and are consistent with those which emerged from the transportation assessment. All the options will include maximising urban capacity and regeneration/urban renaissance of Portsmouth, Southampton and the other urban areas within the sub-region. The options identified were:

(i) Current planning strategy - to concentrate development in major extensions to existing urban areas.

(ii) Public transport corridors - to concentrate development along existing and new public transport routes/interchanges.

(iii) Focus on the two cities - to concentrate development close to Southampton and Portsmouth, with transport investment to be focused on links to the two cities.

Recommendation

That the progress on the South Coast Corridor Multi-Modal Study and the South Hampshire Study be noted and a further report submitted to the next appropriate meeting of the Panel.

7052/KT