Survey aims to develop 30-year transport strategy for South East England

Over 3,500 people, businesses, campaign groups and other organisations from across the Transport for the South East network have given their thoughts on a 30-year transport strategy to improve journeys, boost jobs, increase quality of life and help cut carbon emissions to net-zero.

An online consultation took place from October 2019 to January 2020, supported by a series of consultation events in towns and cities across the South East. The responses will be reviewed over the coming weeks with the final strategy set for publication in the summer.

The strategy will be used to develop a regional transport investment plan to be published in 2021. This aims to provide government and other founders with a prioritised and costed programme of schemes and initiatives to achieve the vision at the heart of the transport strategy.

Cllr Keith Glazier, Chair of Transport for the South East, said: “Our strategy sets out a future for the South East that is better for people, better for business and better for the planet. With the right investment in our transport network, we’ll more than double the South East’s economy, creating an additional 500,000 jobs, boosting quality of life and access to opportunities for everyone and cutting the region’s carbon emissions to net-zero.      

“To make this happen, we need to work together as one region. That’s why we’re delighted that so many people, businesses and other organisations from across the South East took part in our consultation and helped shape our region’s future.”

A major focus of the transport strategy is reducing the region’s reliance on private cars to reduce congestion, cut carbon emissions and improve air quality. Today, cars account for 70 per cent of all journeys in the South East compared to just four per cent by rail and five per cent by bus. It also highlights how better transport links can support economic growth around our ports and airports, boost access to jobs in deprived communities and support high-growth economic sectors across the region.

To do this, the strategy sets out a 30-year framework to guide decisions about where, when and how money is invested in the South East’s transport network, along with a range of schemes and initiatives to make sustainable travel easier and more attractive to people and businesses. These could include better and faster rail journeys, improved links to ports and airports, a freeze on rail fares, cheaper off-peak fares and extra funding to protect and enhance vital bus services.