Connecting Cornwall Strategy
1 Executive Summary
Introduction
1.1 ‘Connecting Cornwall’ is the overarching, long term transport strategy for Cornwall. It looks beyond the five year programme of work set out in the Local Transport Plan 2006-2011, by examining the County’s longer term transport needs. It identifies the strategic infrastructure improvements needed to support economic regeneration, accessibility and sustainable development in the County to 2021 and beyond.
1.2 The ‘Connecting Cornwall’ concept was originally established in 2000 to champion, promote and bring forward the transport investments needed in Cornwall. The infrastructure improvements identified by ‘Connecting Cornwall’ are actively taken forward with a range of sector groups and organisations.
1.3 Adopting a co-modality approach, defined by European Transport Policy as “an efficient use of different modes of transport in isolation or in combination, resulting in an optimal and sustainable utilisation of resources”, the ‘Connecting Cornwall’ programme aims to get the most out of the whole transport network.
Transport in Context
1.4 Cornwall is undergoing significant change. It has one of the fastest growing populations in the country and has seen considerable economic growth in recent years stimulated by the EU Objective One programme. Having qualified for EU Convergence funding, this trend is set to continue.
1.5 With a focus on the Lisbon Agenda, the Convergence programme seeks to generate stronger, sustainable economic growth and to create more and better jobs by developing a ‘knowledge’ based economy. In order to achieve the County’s growth aspirations, recent forecasts indicate a net growth of employment in the main towns of more than 31,000 jobs between 2006 and 2026, a growth of 22% over the existing number of jobs.
1.6 The importance of transport in facilitating economic growth is widely recognised by European, national, regional and local policy. In particular, the EU Lisbon Agenda notes that modern infrastructure is an important competitiveness factor affecting the economic and social attractiveness of locations, guaranteeing the mobility of persons, goods and services throughout the Union. At the local level, the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Economic Forum aims to achieve a ‘world class environmentally sustainable infrastructure and environment’ as a key part of its Regeneration Strategy.
1.7 Without adequate infrastructure in place, the cost of rising congestion could significantly constrain the County’s economic growth aspirations. A recent Cornwall-wide study warns of considerable congestion on the road network by 2026 if a ‘do nothing’ approach to transport is taken, the GDP effects of which could be in the region of £300m annually. Furthermore, the subsequent journey time increases are likely to act as a deterrent to inward investment, thereby inhibiting growth.
1.8 Although connectivity and accessibility are both key to facilitating economic growth, the demand for travel must be managed appropriately. The Stern Review (2006) concludes that strong action is needed to reduce green-house gas emissions around the world to reduce the risk of very damaging and potentially irreversible impacts on eco-systems, societies and economies. Stern notes that the investment that takes place in the next 10-20 years will have a profound impact on the climate in the second half of this century.
1.9 At a local level, there will be several challenges to be faced in adapting to, and mitigating the effects of climate change whilst accommodating a more prosperous economy. The type of transport modes used and the number of journeys made will significantly affect Cornwall’s contribution to climate change. There is a responsibility to ensure an integrated approach to planning is taken, with development strategically located to reduce the need to travel and maximise opportunities for sustainable transport.
1.10 Other challenges include the need to influence travel behaviour; provide access to employment for those without private motor transport; secure investment in infrastructure to accommodate increased congestion associated with economic uplift and manage expectations that bottlenecks and infrastructure constraints will be overcome.
The Strategy to 2021
1.11 The three strategic objectives of ‘Connecting Cornwall’ are:
- Improve connectivity
- Increase accessibility
- Promote sustainability
1.12 They are focused on delivering local, regional, national and European ambitions and the County’s Transport Aims; they stem from the objectives of the County Economic Development Strategy to form the strategic framework for the ‘Connecting Cornwall’ programme.
1.13 This strategy provides the delivery framework for the longer term transport infrastructure programme, establishing priority schemes to 2021 that will help develop strategic connections, support regeneration in key urban centres and maximise local economic potential.
1.14 In addition to delivering infrastructure schemes, ‘Connecting Cornwall’ also fulfils a strategy development role by undertaking a range of measures to test scheme feasibility and explore future policy and investment opportunities:
- Progressing feasibility studies and other transport-related research studies
- Input into European Transport Projects
- Co-ordinating strategies and activities between organisations
- Making representations and lobbying for support for infrastructure improvements
- Exploring policy and investment opportunities
1.15 Delivery of the ‘Connecting Cornwall’ strategy is critical to the success of the County’s Economic Development Strategy. By providing improved access and connectivity, ‘Connecting Cornwall’ will help to create the right conditions for growth, making Cornwall an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest.