Local Transport Plan (posted 12 January 2010)

Wiltshire Council have finally published the results of the consultation on 'LTP3 issues'. The closing date for the consultation was 29 May and we had been told that the results of the consultation would be published 'in the summer'. It was finally put on the website last week and can be found under 'responses to the LTP3 issues paper' on the following webpage:
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/parkingtransportandstreets/roadandtransportplans/transportplans.htm

The 176-page document bizarrely omits to say how many responses were received, since all results are given as percentages. However it looks to be a helpful document from the environmental perspective, with some 70% of respondents supporting the 'radical' approach : "Prioritise sustainable transport services and measures, and discourage the use of the private motor vehicle in urban areas", about 24% voting for the balanced approach : "Improve sustainable transport services and measures, and help to reduce reliance on the private motor vehicle in urban areas" and only about 6% voting for the established approach : "Support essential sustainable transport services and measures, but accept that the private motor vehicle will be the predominant mode of transport for the foreseeable future".

There are a few issues about LTP3 which I will need to take up with Wiltshire in the New Year - including establishing how many responses were received to the consultation, and also quite what happens next. The fear is that WC will develop the detail of LTP3 behind closed doors and present us with a fait accompli later in 2010 with no chance to get modifications before the submission date.

Margaret Willmot, Salisbury Campaign for Better Transport, www.salisburybettertransport.org.uk