Southampton transport chiefs reveal plan

16 May 2006:

Southampton City Council has released its second Local Transport Plan, a plan to improve the streets of Southampton, and to create a smarter, safer, cleaner city.

The plan sets out targets to improve transport and travel across the city whilst reducing road accident casualties and reducing pollution. The council is committed to making Southampton a more accessible, people friendly place to live, work & visit.

"This plan is in place to support us in reaching our goal to reduce the level of car travel within the city, by promoting the use of public transport and active travel" said Travel & Transport Policy Manager, Geoff Cornford.

Included in the plan is a section on park & ride sites in the city to reduce the number of cars travelling around and parking within the city. The first of these sites is expected to be up and running by 2010. The introduction of a further two bus interchanges in the city is also in the plan to help improve the city`s public transport system.

While public transport plays a large part in the plan, getting people more active is also a major challenge for transport chiefs.

For the first time ever the council has produced an Active Travel Plan in response to the health and obesity issues in the UK. The active travel plan is set ways of getting residents & visitors to incorporate exercise such as walking and cycling into their lives whilst carrying out their everyday activities around the city. "Educating people on the more active ways to travel around will not only reduce road congestion but also assist in promoting healthier lifestyles," added Mr Cornford.

Improvements are also set for road and pavements across the city including an exciting new scheme to create a bus super highway which cars would be able to use for a fee.

A summary of the plan is available online:[www.southampton.gov.uk] or call 023 8083 2725 for a paper copy.