§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to implement their programme of multi-modal transport studies. [HL2660]
§ Lord WhittyGovernment offices are currently working with regional planning bodies to agree the terms of reference for the first tranche of multi-modal studies, and will begin the process of appointing consultants to take the work forward this summer. Work on the second tranche of multi-modal studies will begin next year.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to publish the terms of reference for their multi-modal transport studies. [HL2659]
§ Lord WhittyThe terms of reference for each study will be announced once they have been agreed by members of the steering groups which are being established to take forward each study. We expect the first such announcement to be made shortly, and to finalise the terms of reference for all the first tranche of multi-modal studies this summer.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they are ensuring that their multi-modal transport studies fully address all transport alternatives, including public transport options. [HL2661]
§ Lord WhittyThe Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is currently preparing guidance on the methodology for the multi-modal studies, which will set out the range of options which the studies should consider. This will cover all transport modes and other policies such as land-use planning.
Proponents and operators of all transport alternatives will be consulted in the course of the studies, and OPRAF and the Highways Agency will be invited to sit on the steering group for each study.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
How the outputs from the multi-modal transport studies will be applied to decision-making in the Regional Development Agencies, local government and the Highways Agency; and what status the reports will have in this process. [HL2663]
§ Lord WhittyThe multi-modal studies are intended as an input into the process of preparing regional transport strategies in each region which will provide 139WA the regional framework within which other regional partners will operate.
§ Lord McNairasked Her Majesty's Government:
What role the Regional Development Agencies have in determining the direction of and the use made of the multi-modal transport studies. [HL2662]
§ Lord WhittyThe Regional Development Agencies are important regional stakeholders and we expect them to be invited to sit on the steering group for each study. Draft PPG11 makes clear that the RDAs should be involved in the preparation of the draft regional transport strategies, which will be informed by the results of these studies.