TRAFFIC VERSUS THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC IN INFLUENCING DECISIONS

A key road scheme in Dorset County Council's Structure Plan for South-East Dorset, the Wallisdown Relief Road, was put to Public Inquiry in 1986. There were many objections, centred around the potential effect on the ecology of the area. The route would run through a Site of Special Scientific Interest and across one of the few remaining open areas within the Poole/Bournemouth conurbation. The Secretaries of State for the Environment and Transport were unable to come to a conclusion and requested further information. A conventional transport model was developed around the SATURN congested assignment model. Possible modal diversions were estimated based on experience elsewhere and on detailed specific studies of key elements, such as a possible LRT network. The study developed a range of strategies, with associated traffic calming measures, from junction improvements to new high capacity roads. The implications of road pricing and other demand management measures were identified, and packages of complementary policies were recommended. A key element in the assessment of the strategies was the trade-off between the traffic benefits, the implications for the human environment, and the ecological effects. The study is characterised by the strong public involvement throughout the study, from initial group discussion and meetings with interest groups to discuss problems, to public exhibitions to gauge public reaction to the strategies before deciding on the consultants' recommendations to the client. The paper provides information on the assessments, and the public involvement and its influence on the study recommendations. (A) For the covering abstract of the seminar see IRRD 859831.