Is WC transport plan off the rails?

Published on Wednesday 12th January 2011 by Jon Hubbard

Wiltshire Council has to produce a Transport Plan setting out its proposals for the county's transport network up to 2026. The draft plan went out to consultation during October and November, and 119 people or organisations responded.

The plan and the replies are at http://wiltshire.limehouse.co.uk/portal/ltp/ltp3

The council has however not clarified how it will respond to the consultation or if it will amend the draft in the light of the responses. So Wiltshire councillors have requested a 'rapid scrutiny exercise' to examine the latest version of the plan before it gets signed off by the council's 'cabinet'.

"Many consultees criticised the council for concentrating on roads and for being lukewarm about improvements to rail networks. Wiltshire is also very backward when it comes to things like cycle tracks. I hope when we get to see the revised plan at least some of the detailed responses from organisations such as the "Campaign for Better Transport" will have been taken seriously," said shadow environment spokesman Trevor Carbin.

The plan has to be finalised and sent off for government approval by the end of March.