§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what measures he is taking to ensure that integrated transport systems receive high priority from local planners; [63575]
(2) what measures he is taking to ensure that local people are fully involved in consultation processes when transport strategies are being drawn up by a local authority. [63576]
§ Mr. SpellarOur guidance to local authorities on local transport plans (LTPs) and LTP annual progress reports (APRs) makes clear the importance of public participation not only in the development of the strategies and measures proposed within the plan but also on-going consultation during implementation. Evidence of participation is considered as part of the assessment of LTPs and APRs in determining the annual local transport capital settlement for authorities.
We have also made clear in our guidance the need to demonstrate consistency between an authority's local transport plan and its local development plan. Guidance issued to local authorities on planning policies further emphasises the role of land use planning in delivering our integrated transport strategy. It is for the local authority to determine its local priorities but we have, as part of the planning Green Paper published last December, put forward proposals to improve the planning processes.