§ Mr. StringerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the final guidance on the setting up of airport transport forums, announced in the New Deal for Transport White Paper, will be published; and if he will make a statement. [93801]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonGuidance on the setting up of Airport Transport Forums and the preparation of Airport Surface Access Strategies was published today, and copies have been placed in the House Libraries.
356WThe Government's White Paper on the Future of Transport "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" (Cm 3950) stated that all airports in England with scheduled services should establish Airport Transport Forums and prepare Airport Surface Access Strategies to feed into Local Transport Plans.
On 31 March, we published draft guidance on what was required, and invited a wide range of interested parties, including airports, local authorities, planning bodies, transport providers etc. to comment. Responses to the consultation draft of this guidance were overwhelming supportive of the setting up of Airport Transport Forums and the preparation of Airport Surface Access Strategies. The guidance requires those airports which have 1,000 or more scheduled and charter passenger air transport movements per annum to set up Forums. It has been agreed that the requirement to set up Forums, and the guidance, will apply to Wales as well as to England. Separate guidance will be published in respect of Scotland.
A separate good practice guide, with illustrations of surface access improvements which meet the principles set out in the guidance and have already been implemented successfully at airports, is being prepared jointly with the Airport Operators Association and will be published later this Summer.