Comment

Representation ID: 45894

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Transport for West Midlands

Alignment to the region’s emerging statutory West Midlands Local Transport Plan 5

The new emerging WM LTP explores potential new policy pathways for regional and local transport, and whilst further work is still required to shape and develop this document, the role of land use policy is critical in shaping and delivering more sustainable travel behaviours across all new development.

In line with the adoption of WM2041 and wider national policy, the need to decarbonise transport will further be a critical objective, along with delivering inclusive growth, together with the importance of the ‘Triple Access System’. All these issues are captured in TfWM’s work undertaken to date on the new WM LTP Green Paper, and so should clearly be evidenced in this transport chapter.

The new LTP will also seek to consider the transport challenges presented in the draft Black Country Plan, and we will continue working with the Black Country authorities to ensure both plans are fully aligned.

Alignment to Regional funding strategies and investment programmes

Like with the synergy with the WM LTP, it is important the Plan reflects the commitments being established in regional funding streams like CRSTS, Levelling Up Fund, BSIP, the WM Rail Strategy and our current Delivery Plan. All the initiatives total over £1.5bn+ of programme support, to help deliver on more intelligent use of road space including the re-allocation of road space to deliver more enhanced, sustainable transport options.

Greater understanding of Transport Evidence Base and Transport Modelling

Currently the Draft Local Plan is missing detailed assessments and evaluation data of transport scenarios relating to the new land use policies. Comments are therefore very limited at this stage, and as the modelling data becomes available, we will be in a better position to understand just how the proposed policies will meet the demand from a range of modes. It is strongly encouraged that this work is robustly completed and TfWM are available to provide technical support where required.