A revised development/transport strategy needs to be articulated which will provide a pathway to ensuring that requisite road improvements to address existing problems and accommodate new development can actually be funded and delivered within an appropriate timescale.

Not justified – not an appropriate strategy

Not justified – lack of participation of local community

In relation to the adoption of a ‘monitor and manage’ approach for problems which already exist and will inevitably be exacerbated by new development please see my comments on paragraph 8.10 above. Please also see the comments in that paragraph with regard to this change in policy and lack of evidence of participation of local community

Not effective – transport infrastructure improvements are not likely to be deliverable during plan period through lack of funding

The reason given for this approach is stated to be that the full cost of these works cannot be funded from existing funding sources. However proceeding with new development with no deliverable plan to provide the requisite highways improvements (before or after development) presents a very high level of risk to residents and business and the general prosperity of the area.

The plan provides no strategy as to how this risk can be managed so as provide a realistic way forward. Paragraph 8.5 of the Plan refers to the possible National Highways A27 improvement scheme which may or may not be confirmed. If this scheme does not proceed within the requisite timeframe what then? This issue is not addressed at all in the plan.