The SRA today announced a new approach to the long term planning of the railway network - Regional Planning Assessments (RPAs). The details of the RPA process are available in the Authority's 'The Railway Planning Framework: Regional Planning Assessments', published today.
Regional Planning Assessments will form the basis on which the development of Britain's railway is planned over the medium to longer term (5-20 years). They will consider the function of the railway within current and future land use and transport systems, and its role in supporting the economic and wider development objectives of local, regional, devolved and central government.
RPAs will apply to both passenger and freight services, with the key objective of maximising value for money within available resources, in order to meet Government objectives for the environment, safety, economy, accessibility and integration. They will also form the basis of Route Utilisation Strategies and SRA input into Regional Spatial Strategies, the London Mayor's Spatial Development Strategy, spatial plans for Wales and Scotland, and Development Plans.
A pathfinder RPA for Kent and the South East is currently being developed. RPAs for the rest of the country will be completed and published by the end of 2005.
SRA Managing Director, Strategic Planning, Jim Steer said:
"Good planning is vital to the development of Britain's railway. Regional Planning Assessments will provide, clearly and comprehensively, the framework within which the railway can develop its service to passengers and freight customers, and its contribution to the economic and wider development objectives of local regional, devolved and central government."
