The Highways Agency met with more than 100 key stakeholders from the development and planning sector, this week, to discuss how they can work together to further progress our role in new planning or development proposals.

This week, saw the first stakeholder Development Forum, organised by the Highways Agency's Network Strategy Directorate, to explain how the Agency is responding to Government reforms of planning policy for developments that impact on access to and from its strategic road network, and how it is working to deliver the new policy (Planning and the Strategic Road Network) to support economic growth.

Transport Minister, Rosie Winterton, welcomed the event: “The forum offers a great opportunity to build effective partnerships for the future. That is vital, because on the one hand we need to help developers nurture the growth that Britain needs to support a strong economy and vibrant communities. But equally, we need to be aware that this process has to be managed effectively so that we can preserve quality of life for everyone in the country.

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“The Highways Agency can be a key source of information and support, and an effective partner, if it is involved in the decision making process at an early stage. This could save all parties involved both time and money."

Archie Robertson, Highways Agency Chief Executive, said: “It is very important that we are involved as early as possible in any planning applications that may increase traffic on England's strategic road network. This process has worked in the past, but with the new planning guidelines it is even more important that we continue to develop close working between our key stakeholders and partners: nationally, regionally and locally.

“The forum is about engaging with those partners and receiving feedback on how we can work with them better in the future to support national and regional growth, in a balanced and sustainable way."

The event, held in Birmingham, was attended by commercial construction and property developers, transport engineers, regional and local government bodies and non-Government organisations.

As part of the day the Agency highlighted examples of successful partnership working from across the country where sustainable transport plans and options were developed.

In the West Midlands partnership working and early engagement by stakeholders with the Highways Agency, saw a solution created as a result of proposed expansion and developments near Blythe Valley Business Park, which sits near Junction 4 of the M42. A Travel Plan was created for employees and employers based on the business park, that preserved the integrity of the junction while meeting the aspirations of both the developer and the local community.

The Agency had a seat on the steering group to ensure compliance with the planning obligation and a Travel Plan Coordinator was appointed to provide advice to people at Blythe Valley on issues such as car-sharing, travel management, season ticket sales and taxi contracts.

(GK/SP)