The Government today announced a consultation into a draft National Policy Statement for National Transport networks.
 
The Minister for Roads, Robert Goodwill, said “The public consultation being launched today (4 December 2013), invites views on the extent to which this National Policy Statement meets its aim of providing planning policy for decisions on the development of national networks”.
 
Sue Percy, CIHT Chief Executive said:
 
“CIHT has called for a national policy statement on transport on a number of occasions over the last few years. Whilst we welcome the announcement of the consultation today and appreciate that it attempts to bring some strategic focus to address the Planning Act 2008, we do not believe that this statement goes far enough.”
 
“We will be responding to the consultation in detail and we would have like to have seen more emphasis on:
·         Giving certainty to the entire transport sector, including skills, resources and investment needed for effective delivery; resulting in benefits to health, environmental, social as well as economic agendas.
·         Recognition of the local roads as a fundamental part of our transport network.
·         How transport is better integrated to give customers an improved service?”

ENDS

Notes for editors
 

Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation

CIHT is a membership organisation representing over 12,000 people who work in the highways and transportation sector.

CIHT members plan, design, build, operate and maintain best-in-class transport systems and infrastructure, whilst respecting the imperatives of improving safety, ensuring economic competitiveness and minimising environmental impact.

CIHT supports its member’s professional endeavours by:

• offering training, information, professional development and support

• promoting the value added to society by the profession

• being the focused voice to Governments and other decision makers on transportation expertise and knowledge.

For more information please contact:

Daniel Isichei
Director of Communications
daniel.isichei@ciht.org.uk  t: +44(0)20 7336 1567 m: 07912 122573 www.ciht.org.uk