2.3 Our Priorities

The programme contained within this LTP2 demonstrates how we use consultation and local, regional and national objectives to set our priorities in terms of schemes. We have developed a Scheme Appraisal Proforma, a scoring system, to help us rank our scheme priorities. Following an extensive consultation of people, organisations and partners (both locally, regionally and nationally) our initial priorities have been set as;

• improving public transport
• accessibility of local amenities
• public transport needs stronger co-ordination to be most effective,
• improving pedestrian facilities
• road safety
• business and school travel plans
• personal security on public transport.

There were also clear messages from the public that the following measures should be set lower priorities for the LTP;

• new road links
• congestion charging
• workplace parking charging.

The following summarises the key messages from our combined consultation exercises and the May 2005 ‘Making the Connections in Lancashire’ workshops, in which transport issues were discussed by a wide range of providers and users.

Views and issues where there was broad agreement amongst non Local Authority stakeholders; congestion is already an issue and will become an increasing problem in Lancashire public transport should be favoured over car use greater levels of bus priority are a vital part of “making best use of existing road space” and securing modal shift stronger linkages with land use planning are necessary demand management has an important part to play (especially parking charges) the wider Preston area has a window of opportunity in this LTP2 for the CiVITAS project to tackle congestion and modal choice effectively.

2.3.1 Lancashire’s Scheme Appraisal Proforma

Based on the above criteria, Lancashire has produced a Scheme Appraisal Proforma. This Proforma has been used during the preparation of our LTP to inform the selection and development of proposed transport schemes and to guide the allocation of funds by prioritising areas for investment, taking into account national and regional objectives such as the Regional Transport Strategy and Regional Funding Allocation, alongside local priorities set by our communities.  The Scheme Appraisal Proforma objectives also take account of those used in the Lancashire LTP Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA). The Proforma has been developed to build upon the SEA by providing a more detailed assessment that will enable Lancashire County Council to make more informed choices about future transport investment priorities. The Proforma is described in more detail in Section 3.2 Value for Money.

2.3.2 Shared Priorities

Lancashire works closely with its neighbours and has ensured regular collaboration with the LTP partnerships from Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. Whilst the interactions are complex, a number of shared priorities have been highlighted to support our collective longer term strategies. A few of these are outlined here.

• We strongly support the Smartcard initiatives being developed by both Cheshire and Cumbria and encourage the possibilities of joint working with the emerging Merseyside Scheme.
• Through our review of the potential for cost effective measures to enhance Lancashire’s rail network, we will also examine the potential to improve the Ormskirk-Preston rail line with Merseyside, including the feasibility of the reinstatement of the Burscough curves and for enhanced services to Skelmersdale (via Upholland) as part of any proposals to improve services on the Kirkby-Wigan line.
• With the completion of the transport hub at Liverpool South Parkway, we will continue to examine the potential with Merseyside for improvement of services from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to central Lancashire.
• In East Lancashire, the improvement and extension of the existing Quality Bus initiatives are proposed by ourselves and Blackburn with Darwen. The development and necessary supporting study work for Whitebirk Regional Employment Site in Hyndburn is also a priority scheme for Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen.
• In West Lancashire, both the proposal for the Fleetwood-Blackpool-St.Annes quality bus route and improvements to the tramway are joint priorities for ourselves and Blackpool Borough Council. The development and supporting transport initiatives to improve Blackpool Airport as a hub of regional importance are also our joint priority.
• We are working with GMPTE to deliver the Nelson – Rawtenstall – Manchester X service improvements. These services are amongst the most successful bus initiatives in the country. Further work will be undertaken, as the Rawtenstall Park & Ride is also a joint initiative to be carried forward by both authorities.

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