MULTI-MODAL STUDY OUTPUTS LEAVE DFT WITH HOST OF NEW CHALLENGES

In 1998, the UK Government announced a programme of multi-modal studies (MMS) to deal with road congestion on the trunk road and motorway network. Once a study's final report has been published, Regional Planning Bodies examine the recommendations and either accept them or amend them. The study and RPB recommendations are then submitted to the transport secretary for final approval. Doubts have been expressed as to whether the strategies are 'bid' documents for use by regional lobbies, whether they are realistically costed, whether they have the backing of relevant institutions, whether they have applied the Government's appraisal techniques correctly, and whether they are a cover for a large road-building programme. Many consider that the MMS overlook the use of traffic restraint to tackle growing congestion levels on the trunk road network. A table is presented of the 22 multi-modal studies in England.