Purpose

Transport for the South East
(TfSE) is the sub-national transport body, currently operating in
shadow form, that covers Berkshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent,
Surrey, and West Sussex.  It has the
twin purposes of facilitating the delivery of a regional transport
strategy and promoting economic growth in the region.
 
In 2020, TfSE approved a
Transport Strategy for the South East, which aimed to shape the
South East as a region economically, technologically and
environmentally over 30 years, and change the way that investment
is made in transport.  Since then,
significant changes have been made to national and local policy
(such as the introduction of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and
local plans) and patterns of travel behaviour have changed due, in
part, to the effects of leaving the EU and the COVID-19 Pandemic.
 For these reasons, TfSE is refreshing
its Strategy using an updated evidence base.
 
Although the updated Strategy
will inform future decision-making by the County Council, as it
will set out a regional strategy and priorities to guide investment
in strategic transport, it is not expected to address every local
issue.
 
The Draft Transport Strategy is
being published for consultation with constituent authorities,
including the County Council, and wider stakeholders between
December 2024 and March 2025.
 
The Cabinet Member for Highways
and Transport will be asked to approve the County Council’s
response to the consultation.

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport
approves the County Council’s Consultation Response (Appendix
A) for submission to Transport for the South East.