Two major achievements have started the next stage of the journey with the arrival of the Plan for the formalising Transport for South East (TfSE), delivered to the desk of Grant Shapps, Secretary of State, and we earnestly hope that he and his Department will now give it positive consideration to enable the delivery of the plan and transport strategy says Ray Chapman, Co Chairman of East Sussex Rail Alliance and Chief Promoter of South Coast Main Line project development.
This may yet seem remote to the majority but here comes the ultimate Partnership which has the support and involvement of its membership of 5 County Councils, 11 Unitary Authorities and 45 District, Borough authorities along with 5 Local Enterprise Partnerships. It is democratically accountable. The TfSE body has investigated in depth and is setting out the transport strategies for years to come and, even more significantly, energise the reduction in transport carbon emissions to net zero and develop more and better transport links and provisions, This brings together all the way round from South Berkshire, through Hampshire and Surrey, West and East Sussex and into Kent.
“This has been a massive consultative plan over three years and the team at TfSE led by Cllr Keith Glazier and his lead officer Rupert Clubb must have our congratulations on this potential massive win.
“In the South East the support and future lead in developing greater efficiencies and productivity will come with TfSE pressing for delivery of the South Coast Main Line development (Ashford to Eastbourne trunk rail upgrade) but also addressing the urgent need and commitment to deliver decarbonisation improvements on the A21 and A27 trunk roads which score so badly in safety and delay terms,” he continues.
“It has to be said that, with the support behind it, TfSE must sail through Parliament and into life as soon as possible.
We ask all who travel to tell their MPs they do support it.
The fact is we have waited for far too long – the nation, the regions and us too – for cross-administrative border planning of infrastructure – rail, road and all communications – and this body is ideal to deliver the low carbon, greater support of the public than we had ever hoped.” Ray Chapman concluded.