Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015
Strategic Plan Framework: Transportation Regional Policy Context
The ‘Northern Ireland Transport Policy Statement:- Moving Forward’ published in November 1998, signalled a desire to move away from a transportation system dominated by the private car to a more balanced and integrated system, in which public transport together with cycling and walking would play a greater role.
This approach is incorporated into the RDS which provides the spatial framework for transportation in Northern Ireland. It sets out a longer-term vision for transportation which is:-
“to have a modern, sustainable, safe transportation system which benefits society, the economy, and the environment and which actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone’s quality of life”.
The Regional Development Strategy (RDS) provides a number of Strategic Planning Guidelines and measures for a new approach to transportation in Northern Ireland, which are as follows:
- develop a Regional Strategic Transport Network based on key transport corridors, to enhance accessibility to regional facilities and services (SPG–TRAN 1);
- extend travel choice for all sections of the community by enhancing public transport (SPG–TRAN 2); and
- change the regional travel culture and contribute to healthier lifestyles (SPG–TRAN 4).
The RDS also requires the integration of land use and transportation through the development of land use patterns which contribute to a much better range of travel choices for all and reduce the need to travel (SPG-TRAN 3).
An integral part of the RDS was the preparation of a Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS) to cover a 10-year period from 2002-2012. The RTS 2002-2012 was approved by the Northern Ireland Assembly in July 2002. Its purpose is to support the RDS and to make a significant contribution towards achieving the longer-term vision for transportation set out in the RDS in the period up to 2012. Implementation of the RTS will be achieved through three transport plans, covering the Regional Strategic Transport Network (RSTN), the Belfast Metropolitan Area and the remainder of Northern Ireland.
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