The Highways Agency role within Spatial Planning System Colin Bambury Senior Network Manager

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The Highways Agency role within Spatial
Planning SystemColin BamburySenior Network
Manager
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Highways Agency - Who are we?

• DfT Executive Agency
• Responsible for
• Operating
• Maintaining
• Improving
• Strategic Road Network

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Government Philosophy

• General Government Planning and SRN Policy
  C2/2007
• cannot attempt to cater for unconstrained growth
• reduce impact of road users on each other and the
  environment
• make smarter journey choices easier
• Planning Philosophy - Sustainable Development
• Ruth Kelly (Tuesday 30 Oct 2007) Towards a
  Sustainable Transport System Supporting Economic
  Growth in a Low Carbon World. Framework to
  deliver a transport system to support the economy
  and reduce carbon emissions.

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Why Highways Agency Important In Planning Process

• Statutory Consultee
• LDFs
• Planning applications (A10 A15 TCPGDO)
• Teeth - Power to intervene in applications
• A14 Directions (TCPGDO)

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Response of the Highways Agency to the new
Planning reform

• Reviewed SRN planning policy
• Worked with DCLG and DFT to deliver new planning
  policy for the SRN that would serve economic
  growth
• Provided developers with guidance to prepare
  Transport Assessment speeding up delivery
• Worked to develop innovative ways to manage
  traffic demands, seeking highway improvements
  only as a last resort

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Positive approach to planning

• Taking a proactive approach and working with
  Regional Planning Bodies and Local Planning
  Authorities to develop their planning documents,
  and to find suitable sustainable transport
  measures as an enabler for development
• Providing data input into the development process
  so informed transport decision can be made
• Encouraging developers to work with the Highways
  Agency so their proposal take account of the SRN
  and reduce delays within the planning process

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In practice

• Developers can no longer expect that all the
  traffic they might produce will be allowed
  without restraint
• General presumption against capacity enhancements
  purely for development purposes
• Capacity enhancements identified in RSS LDF

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The Road Ahead

• Continuing to engage early with the planning
  system
• Front-loading development plans
• Applying Circular 2/2007 policy to development
  control
• Managing the network not Predict Provide
• Active Traffic Management (ATM) (M42)
• HOV (M606/M62 nr Bradford)
• Access management
• Better Information eg.
• National Traffic Control Centre (NTCC)
• HAIL Tel [phone]
• 1,200 motorway Traffic Officers 300 Control
  Room Staff

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HA Planning Performance Agreements

• Early Days no PPAs in East limited elsewhere
• Consistent with HA approach
• Early Contact / Collaboration
• BENEFITS
• Certainty of information
• Scope for Transport Assessment/Statement
• Certainty of Time
• Lack of information Delays

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In Summary -

• The Highways Agency are delivery partners
  ensuring the SRN plays its role in the delivery
  of sustainable economic growth.
• Working with Regional and Local Planning bodies
  to develop suitable sustainable transport
  solutions
• Proactive and positive approach to planning
  proposal

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Any Questions?