1.5 Our Objectives

Transport has a key supporting role in allowing other services to function. Thus, for example, employees need to be able to get to work and children to school. Transport therefore forms an underlying element of all areas of service delivery which means and has fundamental impacts on the economic, social and environmental development of the County.

This Local Transport Plan has been prepared to assist in delivering all areas of the County Council's Corporate Objectives and the priorities set out in the Community Strategy "Ambition Lancashire".

The County Council's corporate objectives are as follows:

To make Lancashire a good place to live, work and visit, now and in the future. A place where everyone matters.

A place where people can:

• Feel safe
• Lead healthy lives
• Learn and develop
• Work and prosper
• Get help if they need it
• Enjoy a high quality environment
• Travel easily and safely

Our Commitments 

• To treat people with equity and dignity
• To ensure accessible, high quality, value for money services which meet people's needs
• To involve local people in decisions which affect them and their communities
• To speak up for Lancashire and its people regionally, nationally and in Europe

1.5.1 Public Views of our Corporate Objectives

This section sets out how transport relates to each of the County Council's corporate objectives.  National and local evidence on these issues is set out together with relevant actions undertaken as part of LTP1. The outcome of survey research by MORI undertaken for the "Life in Lancashire" study in 2003 is included where this is available. This survey  samples a statistically representative group of people across each District and is repeated every three years. Public opinion as expressed in this and other surveys helped to frame the County Council's priorities. 

Each heading below relates to a specific County Council corporate objective.

A Place Where People Can Feel Safe

The perception of potential crime whilst travelling can be a significant factor in how people travel. Crime on public transport is generally low, nevertheless, a recent survey found that 11.5% more journeys would be made on public transport if passengers felt they were more secure. The time spent waiting for buses and trains or walking to a bus stop or station often generates greater fears of potential crime.

During the first Local Transport Plan the County Council has been working closely with Local Safety Partnerships to address safety issues. The first LTP highlighted the relationship between street lighting and crime. In response to this research the County has, in consultation with Local Safety Partnerships, introduced a programme of street lighting improvements prioritised on potential to reduce crime.

For many children, school buses are their introduction to public transport. Too often the experience has been spoilt by antisocial behaviour, bullying and poor quality vehicles. These can deter children from using public transport, interrupt their education and make a victim's life a misery. In some areas there has been growing reluctance of drivers to work on school services. Lancashire's innovative Safer Travel Unit has worked with the police, transport operators and schools and pupils to produce a range of effective remedies.

Many innovative partnerships have started to deliver improvements in safety on journeys and these present an opportunity for development to reduce the fear of crime further on journeys.

A Place Where People Can Lead Healthy Lives

The links between health, social inclusion and levels of deprivation have long been understood. The research underpinning the Outdoor Recreation Strategy for Natural England explores further the role of outdoor recreation in addressing health issues. The Lancashire Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) identifies actions to provide an extended and improved network to encourage participation in outdoor recreation. The provision of information will be a key factor in encouraging participation.

In the document Choosing Health (2004) the Department of Health estimates the cost of lack of exercise at £8.2 billion annually through absence from work and for NHS care. To this can be added the cost of obesity, estimated at £2.5 billion annually. Only 32% of adults in England take 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week, compared to 57% of Australians and 70% of Finns.

Gameplan, published by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit in 2002, sets a target of increasing the number of physically fit adults from 30% to 70% of the population. The North West Plan for Sport and Physical Activity has set a target of raising the numbers taking 30 minutes of exercise 5 times a week from 33% to 50% by 2020. To achieve these targets activity needs to be encouraged outside organised sporting provision and Active Travel through cycling and walking provides an outstanding opportunity to contribute to these health objectives.

A survey by MORI for the Commission for Integrated Transport (2001), Public Attitudes to Transport in England, discovered that 47% of people interviewed would cycle more and 65% walk more if deterrents were addressed. Those interviewed considered that introducing safer walking and cycling routes was a key issue, together with enhanced maintenance of footways. The following Bar Chart and the remainder of the Bar Charts in this section of the document are derived from the MORI Life in Lancashire survey undertaken in 2003.

Figure 1.5.1a

The MORI survey showed that satisfaction with cycle facilities increased in all districts between 2000 and 2003 but demonstrates a wide variation across the County. The level of satisfaction correlates generally to levels of provision of cycling infrastructure as well as other factors such as topography with Lancaster, South Ribble, Wyre and Fylde have the highest levels of cycling to work. Lancashire is 18% above the North West average for cycling journeys to work.

Walking to work in Lancashire is 7.5% above the North West average. The patterns of walking are complex and appear to relate mainly to the proximity of homes to services and car ownership. There is a growing volume of research on how to encourage greater levels of walking. Detailed survey work being introduced to monitor the introduction of Personalised Travel Planning within Lancashire may give some indications as to how walking can be increased. The issue will be further investigated through the development of the Accessibility Strategy.

A Place Where People Can Learn and Develop

Formal education is provided at nearly 600 establishments. There are 490 primary schools and 90 secondary schools serving the 170,000 children in the county of school age. Further education is offered at 14 colleges and higher education is provided in Lancaster (University and St Martins College), Preston (University of Central Lancashire) and Ormskirk (Edge Hill College). Additional learning and training opportunities are available at many other venues both during the day or in the evening.

Safe and easy access is necessary for pupils and students to school, college and university. Our responsibility is to ensure that they do have easy access to allow them to take advantage of their choice of study. Learning during evenings presents particular access problems as public transport provision tends to reduce at these times.

Lancashire has completed two transport pilot schemes to support education for Over 16s and is developing a scheme to give them permanent support. The "Wheels to Learning" pilot involving long term hire of motorcycles has proved successful at Runshaw College and will be extended to other colleges and workplaces too.

Many people wish to visit libraries, galleries, theatres and arts centres for personal development and to enjoy culture. They too need safe and easy transport to venues and back home again. The availability of reliable late night buses and trains, higher standards of taxi services and enhanced personal security can ease concerns over travel later at night.

A Place Where People Can Work and Prosper

There are 38,000 businesses in Lancashire; the County has moved forward considerably from its cotton industry roots to its present very mixed economy. Leading edge industries now include BAE Systems, British Nuclear Fuels, Leyland Trucks and  Matalan . Manufacturing is still the main provider of the area's wealth, accounting for a quarter of the 64,000 workforce and 30% of the local Gross Domestic Product.

The Lancashire Economic Development Partnership combines the two separate partnership bodies for East and West Lancashire. This new partnership body will have a key role in delivering regeneration within Lancashire through the delivery of the Northern Way Strategy for Central Lancashire.

Managing the highway network effectively is essential to the movement of goods and people, particularly on the primary road network and on access routes to City/Town Centres and Strategic Employment Sites. Travel Planning is also playing an increasing role in addressing the impacts of both individual businesses and Industrial estates.

A Place Where People Can Get Help if They Need it

Around 12.5% of the Lancashire population experience some form of mobility disadvantage. This is a reflected in a high level of car drivers that are entitled to use "blue badges" for parking.  The County Council currently supports seven groups providing Dial-a-Ride services and fifteen community car schemes. In 2003/04, community transport schemes in Lancashire carried over 216,000 passengers. Lancashire is developing an accessibility strategy which will look at access to services for those in need of help.

Road congestion can be a severe problem to the provision of emergency services. The development of schemes in LTP2 will have regard to the needs of the Emergency Services.

Availability of accurate information is essential to people travelling by all modes. New technology has provided a host of opportunities to provide information in new ways such as the internet and mobile phones. Traditional methods of obtaining information remain important to many and it is important to ensure that information is accessible by as wide an audience as is possible. Provision of information that can be accessed by people with a disability is essential. User satisfaction with public transport information in Lancashire has grown from 59% in 2000/01 to 61% in 2003/04.

A Place Where People Can Enjoy a High Quality Environment

Lancashire has great natural physical diversity. Access to the wealth of natural and built assets that exist will be promoted by providing better infrastructure to improve access for walkers, cyclists, riders and people who have limited mobility. Accessing the countryside from urban areas is identified as a priority action in the Rights of Way Improvement Plan to help deliver the County Council's objective.

Proximity to the Lake District National Park and the two AONBs has implications for the highway network, such as queuing at M6 Junction 36 and high levels of traffic on rural roads. Effective traffic management as well as an integrated approach to access within the AONBs will be a key factor in solving these problems.

Figure 1.5.1b

The impact of transport on quality of life is demonstrated in the "Life in Lancashire" surveys with reducing traffic and transport problems being selected by 25% of people as something which would improve their quality of life, the third highest response.

Figure 1.5.1c

However, there was a wide variation in the responses from the different districts. Concern over transport issues is highest in Lancaster, Preston and South Ribble, the areas of the County with some of the most severe traffic congestion problems. A sustainable reduction in congestion is likely to deliver a significant improvement to the environment for many people.

A Place Where People Can Travel Easily and Safely

This is the corporate objective that most specifically relates to transport as a discrete activity.

Figure 1.5.1d

The 2003 "Life in Lancashire" Survey indicated clear priorities for improving existing transport services and reducing delays. High priority was also given to pedestrian facilities, road safety, safe routes to schools and bus/rail facilities.

Building new roads displayed a wide variation in support..  31% of people interviewed in Lancaster considered building  new roads to be a top priority. Lancaster also displayed the highest importance for any one category with 58% of those surveyed selecting Reduce Delays to Traffic as a main priority. Both these figures highlight the great concern there is over traffic congestion in Lancaster City Centre.

A separate MORI survey in 2001 indicated 79% of the people of Lancaster District were in favour of a new road link between the Morecambe/Heysham peninsula and the M6 which will help address this issue. This proposal is the County Council's highest priority major scheme. Reduction in Delays to Traffic was also significant concerns in Preston, Chorley and South Ribble.

Figure 1.5.1e

Figure 1.5.1f

Satisfaction with the local road system is fair  with the notable exception of Lancaster. Satisfaction has improved in 9 of the 12 districts since the 2000 survey.

Figure 1.5.1g

Analysis of bus users' views shows a far more positive view of bus services than when compared with the population as a whole. Data on bus use suggests that patronage has been at least maintained over recent years in comparison with a national fall in patronage outside London. A quarter of Lancashire's households do not have a private car and for these people the development of better public transport services is very important. There is a need to provide services that attract increasing numbers of users to ensure the viability of the public transport network and to contribute to a reduction in congestion.

Road accidents are the cause of personal injuries which impose a large cost on the community. They cause of a large amount of suffering, they damage the local economy and they impose a burden on the health services. Road safety is a prime consideration for all road users and the modes of transport they select and it has an important role in the Local Transport Plan. It is one of the four shared priorities of National and Local Government and it also makes an important contribution to the County Council's objective to make Lancashire a place where everyone can Travel Easily and Safely. Good progress has made in reducing casualties through the first Local Transport Plan. The established partnerships and programmes provide an opportunity to move forward to greater safety on our highways through LTP2.

1.5.2 Community Strategy - Ambition Lancashire

The Local Government Act 2000 places a duty on Lancashire County Council to prepare a Community Strategy to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of the County through a multi-agency partnership. The County Council and other organisations have  worked  together through the Lancashire Partnership to prepare this Strategy, entitled "Ambition Lancashire"  which covers the period 2005-2025. A key aim is to add value and complement the work of district-level Local Strategic Partnerships. "Ambition Lancashire" should be read in conjunction with district Community Strategies. District Strategies have influenced production of LTP District priorities.

"Ambition Lancashire" does not cover everything - the range of activity of partner organisations is too wide and too detailed. It cannot meet everybody's aspirations and must be realistic. Resources are limited and services must conform to minimum legal requirements and central government targets and expectations. Nevertheless it does address a broad spectrum of issues and identifies 175 "Action Points".

The needs of Lancashire will vary over time, as will the opportunities available, so "Ambition Lancashire" will not be a fixed blueprint for the future. Information about services and the changing circumstances of the County will be monitored and the Strategy reviewed to keep it focused on key issues and priorities.

The Vision of "Ambition Lancashire" is:

"To position Lancashire by 2025 as an outstanding opportunity, combining a world-class economy with a breathtaking environment and exceptional communities. Lancashire's towns, cities and rural areas maintain their separate identities, but inter-dependence is strengthened through strong economic, social and environmental connections"

Delivery of the vision is to reflect five core principles : Participation; Accessibility; Equality; Social Inclusion and Sustainability and Future Generations.

Key topic areas are grouped as follows:

• Economy and Prosperity
• Accessibility
• Rural Issues
• Image
• Learning
• Children
• Health and Care Issues
• Racial Harmony
• Crime and Safety
• Older People
• Housing and Sustainable Communities
• Culture
• Landscape and Heritage

Transport actions form the basis of the Accessibility chapter but also feature in many other chapters. Examples of this include the importance of public transport in promoting opportunity for both young and old people, the value of "Home Zones" and good quality places in sustainable communities and addressing pedestrian casualties as a safety issue. 

Ambition Lancashire can be found at: http://www.lancashirepartnership.co.uk/

A summary of the principal relationships between Ambition Lancashire and LTP2 can be found as an Appendix to this document.

1.5.3 LTP Objectives

The objectives for the second Local Transport Plan have been developed from an analysis of all the key documents and initiatives identified in Diagram 1. They thus take into account national and regional priorities while incorporating locally significant priorities, in particular Corporate Objectives and "Ambition Lancashire". All the Objectives have equal weighting. The Major Schemes, Strategies and Schemes  identified in this document have been assessed against  their potential to deliver these objectives.

The LTP2 objectives are as follows:

• Reduce road casualties
• Improve access to jobs and services
• Improve air quality
• Improve the condition of transport infrastructure
• Reduce delays on journeys
• Increase journeys by bus and rail
• Increase active travel

LTP2 objectives have a direct relationship to Lancashire's corporate objectives. The main linkages are as set out in Table 1.5.3. A number of LTP2 objectives relate to more than one corporate objective:

Table 1.5.3

Corporate Objective	LTP2 Objective
Feel safe	Reduce road casualties Increase active travel Improve the condition of transport infrastructure
Lead Healthy Lives	Increase active travel Improve air quality Improve the condition of transport infrastructure
Learn and develop	Improve access to jobs and services Increase journeys by bus and rail
Work and prosper	Improve access to jobs and services Reduce delays on journeys Improve the condition of transport infrastructure
Get help if they need it	Improve access to jobs and services
Enjoy a high quality environment	Improve air quality Increase journeys by bus and rail
Travel easily and safely	All LTP2 objectives

1.5.4 Strategic Environmental Appraisal

This Local Transport Plan has undergone environmental appraisal by a leading consultant with extensive experience in this area of work. The Strategic Environmental Assessment was commenced at an early stage in the plan development to ensure its full integration into the plan development. A scoping study was carried out in spring 2005 and the environmental report was published alongside the Provisional LTP in July 2005. A report on how the SEA has influenced the final version of the plan is available as a supporting document to this plan.The priorities within the SEA reflect the recommendations of the study, including the application of mitigation measures where appropriate. An environmental statement accompanies this document in Appendix E

Rural Proofing

The provisional LTP was the subject of a Rural Proofing audit to highlight any policies that might have a different impact in rural areas, because of particular rural circumstances or needs. this audit has then informed the plan development to ensure that policies are framed so as to meet rural needs and circumstances.