TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE:

Safeguarding Land and Minimising Environmental Impacts

5.14 The plan provides the strategic framework for local plans to allocate and protect land for the development of transport proposals. These proposals must be in accord with the aims of the modern transport system and, for instance, could include land for the western peripheral route, railfreight terminals and park and ride facilities; also cycle networks, bus priorities and routes for access by walkers to the countryside, and, if identified, proposals for new rail or light rail lines.

5.15 Policies and proposals must take account of the implications of transport infrastructure on the natural and built environment. The overall benefits of a proposal (generally economic benefits and sometimes community and some environmental benefits) must demonstrably outweigh any disbenefits including any impacts on the environment. Some of the environmental issues that may need to be addressed include measures to minimise visual, noise and air quality impacts, and the effect on ecology and landscape particularly if the proposal is in Green Belt. Wider consideration of the global impacts of the scheme may also be required.

5.16 Vehicle exhaust emissions are one of the biggest causes of poor air quality. Some emissions are also thought to contribute to global problems of climate change and global warming. The UK National Air Quality Strategy provides objectives for the reduction of pollutants and transport measures detailed in Local Transport Strategies will have a role to play in implementing local air quality strategies. The amount of non-renewable energy that is currently consumed needs to be reduced to conserve stocks for future generations. Whilst trip lengths and numbers need to be reduced generally, measures which reduce congestion will not only have positive impacts on the economy, but also reduce the disproportionate amount of fuel used by vehicles travelling in traffic jams.