SEStran launches sustainable development guidance
Date : 12th August 2009
SEStran is set to publish a new guide to sustainable development, which seeks to ensure that transport planning is fully integrated with land use planning.
The guide, which will be distributed to all SEStran partner organisations and also made available online, aims to contribute towards the development of commmunities for living, working and recreation, where the need for travel has been minimised and necessary journeys are facilitated through sustainable modes including; walking, cycling and public transport.
Councillor Russell Imrie, Chair of SEStran said:
“The guide develops the aims laid out in SEstran’s Regional Transport Strategy (RTS). It is essential that the aim of building an integrated sustainable transportation system is at the heart of the development process”.
“Transportation should not be treated as an add-on, or an afterthought in the planning process. Such an approach simply leads to the needless squandering of resources, as transportation needs have to be catered for by altering or adapting plans and incurring costs that could have been avoided.”
“By making transport part of the development process and involving transport providers from the word go, we can ensure that people have access to a range of sustainable transportation options. This will help ensure that future development contributes towards reducing traffic congestion, meeting emissions reduction targets and promoting health and wellbeing”.
ENDS
SEStran - South East of Scotland Transport Partnership - is one of seven new Statutory Regional Transport Partnerships (RTP) created by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is a partnership of eight local councils covering the Borders, the Lothians, Edinburgh, Fife, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire.
For further information, please contact:
Andrew Dougal, SEStran Communications Officer
T: 0131-524-5161
M: 07889-010-291
E:Andrew.dougal@sestran.gov.uk
