Strategic Environmental Assessment

We undertook a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Provisional LTP2, the draft work programmes and the proposed major schemes, to assess their impact on the environment. Mitigation strategies were developed where needed, to ensure that overall our Final LTP2 protects the environment, improves social inclusion and enables economic growth to be sustainable over the long-term. We used independent environmental experts (Steer, Davies  Gleave -SDG) to carry out the SEA with a view to promoting sustainable development, and to ensure that impacts were taken into account at the earliest stage and throughout LTP2 development.  The SEA was split into five stages. For the provisional LTP stage A set the context, established the environmental baseline and set SEA objectives. Stage B included production of a Scoping Report, considered strategic alternatives and consulted locally and wider with relevant bodies. Stage C assessed the environmental effects of the plan. Stage D was the production of a Final Environmental Report. Stage E will be devising and implementing a monitoring programme.

After examination of the detailed LTP2 work programme, SDG suggested that for the schemes proposed ‘it is unlikely there will be many significantly adverse impacts, and indeed …(may) improve the environment in many ways’. However some mitigation and enhancement measures were proposed. These are set at the end of this section.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

The main impacts of LTP2 on health include access to healthcare and a healthy lifestyle (these are considered in detail as part of the Accessibility Strategy), road safety, air quality and modal shift to walking and cycling. It is clear that local transport strategy has a major role to play in improving health.

The SEA incorporates the results of a separate Health Impact Assessment carried out by specialist, independent consultants. Their proposed approach was discussed and agreed with Directors of Public Health in Greater Manchester.

The SEA specified a health objective: To improve general levels of health and well being and reduce health inequalities in Greater Manchester. Related indicators were also designated:

  • Estimation of changes in activity levels (cycling and walking)
  • Air quality indicators, and
  • Accident rates

The HIA examined the compatibility between the objective and LTP2 plans and policies. The HIA also considered an advice note prepared by the Directors of Public Health in Greater Manchester, which provided a set of five public health aspirations (see Table 3.2 of the SEA document):

  • To promote walking and cycling as the main transport mode for journeys of less than 5 miles
  • To reduce congestion and improve air quality  by promoting responsible car use and reducing the use of the car
  • To ensure that those without a car are able to access all that they need to choose a healthy lifestyle
  • To ensure that disabled people are able to travel
  • To promote the use of modes other than the car as the means of access to health facilities

The HIA's overall conclusion was that LTP2 broadly meets the health aspirations of our partners. Some recommendations were made, and these will be incorporated into the LTP2 work programme as appropriate.

The LTP2 partners will use the HIA and existing but  strengthened partnerships with the health sector to ensure that LTP2 leads to the optimum possible health outcome.

 
Table 1 Response to recommendations of the SEA
SEA Section Suggestion Response
Traffic levels LTP2 does not include policies and proposals specifically aimed at reducing vehicle miles: congestion relief is targeted as a priority, but this will not reduce overall mileage. Dealing with congestion is specifically part of the GMITS/TIF programme, but there is no policy on reducing mileage. This is because the LTP process does not contain the policy measures to achieve it. Measures which would encourage less travel may be found in the land use planning system, with regard to the location of facilities in relation to areas of residence, although even here the scope for reducing travel is subject to people exercising personal choice. The LTP's support for town centres may, in conjunction with planning policies, help to reduce travel distance over the longer term compared with a journey pattern based on out-of-centre development
Alternative fuels Consider cleaner fuels that are better for the environment such as biofuels, and landfill gas. GMPTE is developing specific projects to use alternative fuels in public transport
Noise Consider low noise road surfaces such as porous asphalt in maintenance programmes. See note below
Air Quality Transport information and guidance programmes to encourage drivers to avoid polluted areas. Local press efficient at alerting people to poor air quality. The Air Quality Group will consider this suggestion.
Workplace parking levy To be considered as part of the toolkit of demand management measures being developed through the GMITS/TIF programme.
High occupancy vehicle lanes To be considered as part of the toolkit of demand management measures being developed through the GMITS/TIF programme.
Traffic calming to reduce traffic speeds and aggressive driving Evidence on the effect of traffic calming on air quality is not conclusive. Casualty reduction is likely to remain the driving force for traffic calming.
Speed limits on roads where traffic speeds are high and air quality poor This would apply primarily on the Motorway network and would require the support of the Highways Agency
Park and Ride Park and ride for Greater Manchester has been evaluated and can lead to more vehicle miles. Selected, well targeted,  schemes will, however, be progressed
Greenhouse Gas Better integration of land use and transport planning This is being considered as part of the development of the sub- regional spatial strategy and will also considered by local authorities when producing their Local Development Frameworks.
Focus on access to facilities rather than mobility This has been progressed as part of the parallel Accessibility Strategy work stream.
Biodiversity Mitigation Banking (planting to offset habitat loss) This is already integrated into Metrolink plans, but could be extended for other major schemes, and for climate change gas emissions.
Review impact of traffic management and maintenance programmes See note below
Soil and Water Review traffic management and maintenance programmes See note below

Note: The planned road maintenance and traffic management work programmes were identified in several categories as an opportunity to secure environmental improvements. The LTP team will work with Greater Manchester district partners to identify where changes in practices or common standards could help to improve the overall strategic environmental impact of the LTP2 programme.

 

GMPTE hosted a seminar and workshop on 1 March 2006 to discuss the findings of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Health Impact Assessment with stakeholders. The messages from this were that stakeholders were comfortable with the process and broadly agreed with the findings, although .a number of comments were made and these have been fed back into the LTP process. Some of the views worth noting were:

  • The LTP2 process involved much more working with partners than LTP1, and stakeholders welcomed this.
  • Targets - particularly for walking and cycling should be challenging and not just set at a level that could be easily met.
  • Physical activity such as walking and cycling can help in tackling obesity and other illnesses - and are essential parts of a health lifestyle as well as being a good way of getting around.
  • Some participants were worried about some potentially environmentally damaging road schemes.
  • The economy is growing faster than traffic, so there is no causal link. Greater Manchester should avoid falling into the trap of linking economic growth with more traffic. The economy is not dependent on cars.

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