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 seris 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've developed some initial ideas for solutions to the problems and want to understand what people think of them. To do this, we've arranged the options into a series of themes.
2. Why do we need to do this Study?
South East Dorset faces many challenges over the next 15 years or so. Central and Regional Government have identified that up to an additional 48,000 houses (roughly 15% increase in population) and 45,000 additional jobs need to be accommodated in this sub regional area. 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 was consultation last year, what did you do with the results from this consultation?
The consultation we did last summer was on the problems and issues facing the study area. The report on this consultation is included on the website. The responses from the consultation combined with some detailed technical work have meant that different schemes and policies have been developed to try and tackle these problems. These schemes and policies are the focus of this round of consultation.
8. At this stage of the study there are four themes? Will one of the themes become the strategy?
Four themes have been identified to demonstrate how different schemes and interventions can be be packaged together. This consultation asks people for their views on the individual elements of the themes. The most popular schemes from the four themes will be tested further and a preferred strategy will be developed. The preferred strategy will then be open to consultation in autumn 2010.
9. Workplace parking levies and congestion charging are included in themes, why is this necessary?
In the identification of options, it is important that we consider all possible alternatives for the future transport strategies. Workplace parking levies and congestion charging are two possible policies for controlling the volume of car use.
10. 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 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.
11. How long will the Transport Study take?
Phase 2 (Data collection and Model Build) of the Study is nearly completed, with the transport model due for completion in summer 2009. Phase 3 (Developing the Transport Strategy) started in May 2009 for around 18 months and will include extensive consultation with key stakeholders and the wider public. This Phase should conclude in late 2010. Dependent on the outcome of these Phases, further work on individual schemes or packages of schemes may then be pursued.
12. 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 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 2 decades.
13. 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.
14. Where can I find out more information?
Further details of the Transport Study are available on this website.
15. 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
16. 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.