AN END to overcrowding on trains and stations is among the aims of a new transport strategy for Merseyside to be produced over the next 12 months.
At the launch of a six-week consultation on the future of local transport in the region, delegates were told that lack of rail capacity could put the brakes on future economic growth.
But there was also a need to increase levels of cycling and walking, and to include taxis as part of a single integrated transport strategy connecting people with jobs, health care, and leisure.
The new Local Transport Plan, which is now being consulted on, will start in April, 2011, and run for three years.
It is being put together by the Merseyside Transport Partnership (MTP), made up of Merseytravel and the five district councils of Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral.
Chair of MTP Neil Scales said the regional transport network faced a number of new challenges, such as the growing visitor economy.
Mr Scales said: “We did a big taxi training service for Capital of Culture. That paid great dividends and I regard them as part of our transport network.
“It’s about making the best use of what we’ve got and promoting it more.”
He added that legal powers were in place for the next three years for construction of Line One of Merseytram from Kirkby to Liverpool.
But all future transport planning would have to take place against the background of finance being extremely tight in the future.
Members of the public, as well as experts, are being invited to share their views on the future of transport in Merseyside.
The results of this consultation, as well as extensive research, will be used to gain an insight into the region’s long-term transport needs over the next two decades.
Once the views of people from all sectors of the community have been gathered, MTP will look in detail at how elements of the plan can be put into practice over a shorter timeframe of three years.
The consultation, which runs until April 12, was officially launched yesterday at the Hilton in Liverpool, and members of the public are now being encouraged to get involved.
Mr Scales said: “Over the past 10 years, we have made great steps towards providing a modern and extensive transport network for Merseyside.
“It is now time to build on these successes and prepare for the future. The world will change a great deal in the next two decades, and we must adapt to make the most of the opportunities that will be available to us.
“Transport has an important role to play in the region’s future in supporting the growth of the economy, helping tackle climate change and encouraging people to lead healthier lifestyles.
“Our new Local Transport Plan will also play a key role in helping Merseyside achieve its vision of becoming a thriving international city region by 2030.
“Transport affects us all and it is absolutely crucial that as many people as possible are involved in the process of planning for the region’s changing transport needs.
“Over the coming weeks, we will be gathering opinions from a cross section of the community and I would urge everyone to make sure they have their say.”
At this stage, people are being invited to comment on four key themes: the work that MTP is already doing to provide a safe and efficient transport system; goals for the future; the challenges and opportunities that transport in Merseyside faces in coming years; and the concept of creating a new “mobility culture” to bring Liverpool level with successful cities such as Zurich and Hamburg, which have high levels of economic growth and low levels of congestion.
TO HAVE your say, visit www.transportmerseyside.org
