ABSTRACT
Within the new development planning system in the UK, the regional planning authorities take on a much stronger role in determining priorities through the regional spatial strategies (RSSs), as the old structure planning system is abolished (see Chapter 7). Transport planning also takes on a much more strategic role, with the requirement for regions to produce regional transport strategies (RTSs) (DfT 2004c), as outlined in the White Paper on the future of transport (DfT 2004a). Here it is stated that transport guideline budgets for each English region will be presented in the 2005 budget to give regional stakeholders (the Highways Agency, local authorities, the railways and public transport subsidy providers) an opportunity to decide investment priorities. (It should be mentioned that transport strategies were similarly developed for Wales and Scotland.) Spending decisions on major projects will therefore continue to be taken by central government, “taking account of the regional and local stakeholder views”.
