In 2012, the main challenge will be to influence the National Policy Statement (NPS) on National Networks, which will set out for the first time long-term planning policy for trunk roads and railways. There have been indications this may even encourage the private sector to propose new toll roads across the countryside. A draft of the NPS is due to be published for consultation in February. CPRE will be campaigning to ensure it takes account of the needs of the countryside.
Update
Influencing national policy on roads
East Anglian dual carriageway
Image: © CPRE
In its early days, the coalition Government cut money for road building and set out its vision to make ‘long-distance mode of choice’, a vision that CPRE warmly welcomed. At the end of 2011, however, new funding was announced to resurrect old road schemes in an attempt to build the economy out of recession.
