Have your say on Local Transport Plan implementation

 

Cheshire East Council wants YOUR views on how best to turn ambitious local transport proposals into reality.

The Council has worked with partners to draw up a comprehensive Local Transport Plan (LTP) strategy. This aims to tie in with the local authority area’s Sustainable Community Strategy and wider ambitions for the area – including boosting the local economy and tackling climate change.

The priorities of the LTP – backed by the public – are to ensure a sustainable future and create conditions for business growth, while tackling carbon emissions.

The Council held an extended six-week public consultation via a questionnaire last October/November to seek the public’s views on what the future transport priorities should be for the next 15 years.

Now the Council is launching a further round of consultation on a draft implementation plan – which aims to transform the transport strategy into actions.

Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: “The successful first round of consultation has informed and shaped our transport priorities – and now we want people’s views on the initiatives we are proposing to deliver those priorities over the next four years.

“This is a real opportunity for local people to have their say and really shape, and take ownership of, local transport policy priorities and their implementation.”

Priority policy initiatives include:

● Working with the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities to carry out feasibility studies of tram-train opportunities in the north of the Borough, including park-and-ride sites for the city centre;

● Preparing bids for funding to support the improved integration of different modes of transport, including public transport, road, walking and cycling;

● Supporting proposals for high-speed rail links and improved rail services in Cheshire East;

● Continuing to work with the Department for Transport to secure funding for the Crewe Green Link Road;

● Working with strategic partners, via the Local Enterprise Partnership, to secure transport improvements to boost economic growth across the Borough.

Cllr Macrae added: “Transport and travel is a fundamental part of everyday life and supports a vibrant economy.

“The Local Transport Plan (LTP) aims to build on the strengths of the existing transport system in Cheshire East, including our good transport links to major centres via the motorway and rail network and the international gateway at Manchester Airport, and set out a strategy and proposals to improve it further to foster our ambitious plans for economic growth and protect our environment to ensure a sustainable future for all our residents and businesses.

“Our travel patterns are heavily reliant on the car for most people, which means we have to improve alternative options for travel to make these more attractive, including public transport networks. The LTP will shape future investment in our highways and public transport network over the next 15 years, so we would welcome your comments on the implementation of the identified strategies and priorities for Cheshire East.”

To have your say on implementation of the new Local Transport Plan, fill in the questionnaire online by visiting the Council’s website at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/travel

Alternatively, get a copy of the questionnaire from council customer service point offices – at Westfields in Sandbach, Macclesfield Town Hall or Delamere House in Crewe – and send the completed form to:

Cheshire East LTP Strategy and Consultation, FREEPOST CW247, Floor 6, Strategic Highways and Transportation, Delamere House, Crewe CW1 2LL.

The deadline for filling in the questionnaire is Wednesday, February 16.

Cheshire East’s new LTP will be published in April 2011.