1. What's this study all about?
We're carrying out the study to develop a transport strategy for South East Dorset for the next 15 years or so. The aim is to develop a series of measures to solve the current and future problems on the transport system across the area. We need to target the transport improvements to the problems. Initially, we identified where and what the problems are. We then asked the public, who use the transport system on a daily basis, to tell us what they felt the problems are. We then developed some initial ideas for solutions to the problems and put them in four themes. The public then commented on these and alongside technical work we developed our preferred strategy. This is out for consultation now.
2. Why do we need to do this Study?
South East Dorset faces many challenges over the next 15 years or so. The Local Authorities are committed to developing the local economy, and providing homes and jobs for local people. This would require more than 33,000 additional homes to be built in the SE Dorset area by 2026, and additional employment land near Ferndown and the airport. If this growth happens and nothing is done to the transport system, people will travel further to get to work, congestion and delay will worsen, carbon consumption will increase and quality of life will deteriorate. The study is needed to provide the basis for a long term Transport Strategy for the South East Dorset area to meet these challenges. Without a comprehensive transport study, it will not be possible to secure the funding required for the various schemes that will be needed to enable this level of development.
3. What is the impact of a new Government on this study?
While it is too early to say what the detailed policies of the new Coalition Government will be, it is clear that the Government is committed to making savings over the next 5 years and to ensuring that it gets value for money on all transport investments. With the transport study looking to 2026, it is hoped that, once the economy has recovered and Government debt has been reduced to manageable levels, funding will be available for new transport measures. In the shorter term, the emphasis is likely to be directed at making best use of available existing resources supplemented by modest improvements.
4. Why does the area have to have so many new houses and extra jobs - the area is crowded enough as it is?
SE Dorset has been identified by the former Government as a major growth area in the South West Region. This was in response to likely future changes in patterns of population and economic growth across the Country. With the new Coalition Government, there is some doubt about the size and location of new developments, but nevertheless there will undoubtedly still be a need for some significant growth in South East Dorset.
5. What area are you looking at in the Study?
The study area concentrates on the conurbation of Poole-Bournemouth-Christchurch and extends to the surrounding settlements of Wareham, Verwood, and Ringwood. Please click here for a map of the study area.
6. What sort of things are you looking at in the Transport Study?
The study is examining a broad range of potential measures, covering all principal modes of transport. The computerised Transport Model is being used to identify the impacts of a number of future scenarios. These include changes in transport policies, building major highway and/ or transport schemes, different levels of development. These scenarios are then assessed against a future ‘Do Nothing’ scenario to ascertain what’s worth doing.
Part of this work includes identifying various scheme and policy options which you are currently been consulted upon.
7. There have been previous rounds of consultation for the Study - what did you do with the results?
There have been two previous rounds of consultation to help inform the work on developing the transport strategy. The first round in summer 2009 was on 'Problems and Issues' whereby we asked for the public and stakeholders to identify where they felt there were existing problems and what the main issues are with the transport system. This helped confirm the congestion hotspots and difficulties passengers face when using public transport, and how these relate to other areas such as getting to work, school or to health facilities. This also generated a 'long list' of suggestions for the study team to investigate.
The second round of consultation in summer 2010 concentrated on four strategy 'Themes' which included the full range of measures available: from 'Doing Nothing', or to consider greater investment in public transport and green choices, right through to more ambitious long term plans for public transport and road building. Also considered for consultation were the more radical ideas such as congestion charging and work place parking levies as a means to control car use and raise revenue. The consultation feedback on the various measures that made up the strategy 'Themes' has helped, alongside technical appraisal using the computer transport model, to develop the 'draft' strategy now being consulted on.
8. How does this study relate to the Local Transport Plan?
The three local authorities (Bournemouth Borough Council, Borough of Poole and Dorset County Council) are all working together to develop a Local Transport Plan (LTP) for Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset. The LTP is a 15 year plan setting out the transport policies for the Dorset area. This study will form part of the LTP for the SE Dorset area and we are working alongside colleagues in the three authorities. Further details on the LTP can be found here.
9. How long will the Transport Study take?
A transport model was developed in Phase 2 of the Transport Study based on extensive data collection. This model forms the technical evidence base for testing scheme and ideas in Phase 3 of the Study. Phase 3 (Developing the Transport Strategy) started in May 2009 and has included extensive consultation with key stakeholders and the wider public. A final round of consultation on the 'draft' strategy will take place up to the end of February 2011, after which the final recommendations will be reported in March 2011. Dependent on the outcome of these Phases, further work on individual schemes or packages of schemes may then be pursued.
10. How much is the Study going to cost?
The cost for producing a comprehensive Transport Model and developing the Transport Strategy for the SE Dorset area is estimated at £2.25 million. This is a lot of money but needs to be balanced against the £400 million+ worth of transport schemes that may be considered over the next two decades.
11. Who's paying for this Study?
The Study is being jointly funded by the 3 Local Highway Authorities (Borough of Poole, Bournemouth Borough Council and Dorset County Council) and the Highways Agency who have responsibility for the trunk road network (eg. A31). There are also funding contributions from the Regional Development Agency and Central Government.
12. Where can I find out more information?
Further details of the Transport Study are available on this website.
13. Who can I contact about this?
Rick Clayton is the Project Manager for the Transport Study based in Transportation Services at Borough of Poole. Please email on sedorset.transport@poole.gov.uk or leave a message on the website www.sedorsetmms.com
Alternatively please write in to
Rick Clayton
Project Manager SE Dorset Transport Study
Transportation Services
Borough of Poole
St John's House
Serpentine Road
Poole
BH15 2DX
14. I'd like to be kept in touch with progress of the Study?
Regular updates will appear on the website, and as the Study progresses newsletters will be published. If you wish to be notified of updates or receive future newsletters relating to the Transport Study, please send your contact details either by email to sedorset.transport@poole.gov.uk, post a message on the website or in writing to the Project Manager at the above address.