Executive Summary from Transport for South Hampshire`Towards Delivery' strategy statement April 2008

Transport for South Hampshire (TfSH) is the transport delivery agency for the South Hampshire sub-region and covers Portsmouth, Southampton and part of Hampshire. This TfSH Statement sets out issues and priorities for the area in the context of planned growth. As the economy expands, demand for travel will increase, adding pressures to the existing transport networks. The new housing and employment for the area included in the South East Plan mean that the economic vitality and growth will be accompanied by more travel – much of it could be by car - with the consequent impacts on the environment. At the same time, growth in levels of activity at the international gateways – Southampton International Airport and the ports of Portsmouth and Southampton – mean that transport issues must be addressed now.

This is a significant challenge for transport. A strategy has been devised which considers how and when journeys are made and how they could be dealt with in the future. There are three main strands of the strategy: Reduce-Manage-Invest. All can work together to enable the planned growth and to deliver the development sites identified.

Studies have been commissioned to investigate the problems and potential solutions in greater depth. Initially proposed solutions were considered in the context of the Regional Funding Allocation (RFA), a source of funding for schemes which facilitate development. This considered options for investment in transport infrastructure, road and rail. A list of schemes was considered and prioritised in light of the limited funding available through the RFA and the need to focus on those proposals that best meet regional and sub-regional objectives.

Along with this investment, the strategy includes initiatives to reduce the need to travel including planning policies and careful design of development sites, significant public transport improvements and the scope to support the sustainable modes of walking and cycling. The ‘Reduce’ element also considers better ways of providing car parking and discouraging the use of cars where appropriate. In addition, the ‘Manage’ element of the strategy addresses means of making better use of existing networks such as changing the way in which motorways and trunk roads are used, improving bus services, introducing park and ride sites and making improvements that allow more trains to operate. Technology applications such as management and information systems and smart cards have also been considered. Alongside Reduce and Manage measures, the ‘Invest’ infrastructure schemes can be delivered.

Two Strategic Development Areas (SDAs) are designated at North/North East Hedge End and North Fareham. These are large housing sites with associated employment and other activities which will affect travel patterns in their respective areas and beyond. For these SDAs to be successful in avoiding large scale car dependency, a range of measures is needed to allow sustainable modes to be successful while managing car movements. This will require concerted efforts to minimize the negative impacts of additional traffic on local communities. The planned South Hampshire Strategic Employment Zone (SHSEZ) at Eastleigh will also affect movements in the area.

Therefore this Statement brings together the main themes arising from investigations to date and attempts to offer transport solutions that can be adopted by all the agencies involved and the wider community across South Hampshire.