Reminder: Have your say on the transport strategy for the south east

Kent residents urged to have their say on ‘transformational’ thirty-year transport strategy with sustainability at its heart

• Investment could unlock massive growth, more than doubling the South East’s economy and supporting half a million new jobs by 2050
• Strategy sets out bold and compelling future that is better for people, better for business and better for the planet
• Prioritising greater investment in public transport is the only feasible way to reduce congestion, cut emissions and boost air quality in the long term

People and businesses are being urged to have their say on a proposed thirty-year transport strategy for the South East which aims to improve journeys, boost the economy and protect the environment.

The strategy outlines how, with the right investment in our region’s transport network, the South East’s economy will more than double by 2050 to between £450bn and £500bn per year – creating an additional 500,000 jobs, boosting quality of life and access to opportunities for all and helping cut the South East’s carbon emissions to net-zero.

It has been produced by Transport for the South East, a unique partnership bringing together local authorities, business leaders and transport organisations to speak with one voice on our region’s transport priorities.

A major focus of the strategy is reducing the region’s reliance on private cars to reduce congestion, cut carbon emissions and improve air quality.

Today, cars account for 70% of all journeys in the South East compared to just 4% by rail and 5% by bus.

It also highlights how better transport links can support economic growth around our key international gateways, such as the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel, which are vital to the local, regional and national economy.

To do this, the strategy sets out a thirty-year framework to guide decisions about where, when and how money is invested in the South East’s transport network, along with a range of schemes and initiatives to make sustainable travel easier and more attractive to people and businesses.

To read Transport for the South East’s draft transport strategy and take part in the consultation, visit www.tfse.org.uk/transport-strategy

The deadline for responses is January 10.

Following the public consultation, a final version of the transport strategy will be put to the TfSE board in spring 2020.

A strategic investment plan is planned for publication in 2021, providing a prioritised, costed and deliverable list of schemes, initiatives and policies to start turning the Transport for the South East’s vision into reality.

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