Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 48
National Transport Model lacks transparency and sufficient scrutiny in NSIP appraisals.
Conclusion
There is concern from some interested parties that the National Transport Model, which underpins the Statement of Need, does not consider a wide enough range of traffic demand scenarios and that the National Transport Model and congestion forecasts are not published in ways that permit thorough scrutiny of their assumptions. There is also a lack of faith in the options appraisal process for NSIPs before they reach Development Consent Order stage. Finally, there is concern that, while the Department for Transport talks about moving away from ‘predict and provide’, in reality the NSIP regime perpetuates that approach. For promoters of schemes, opponents and the wider public to have confidence in the robustness of the revised NNNPS, greater transparency is needed.
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses guidance on associated development and lorry parking, along with its analysis of responses to a call for evidence on freight, but does not address the concerns raised about the National Transport Model, options appraisal, or the 'predict and provide' approach.
Paragraph Reference:
48
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has produced guidance on associated development7. It includes a clear set of principles as to whether something may be associated development or not and a list of examples of both general development but also infrastructure specific associated development. The guidance is clear that it is for the Secretary of State to decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not development should be treated as associated development. We consider that this guidance provides sufficient illustrative examples of what associated development might include and do not believe it warrants repetition in the revised NNNPS. The Department for Transport notes that the discussion around associated development related to lorry parking in particular. The government recognises the important contribution that HGV drivers make to the nation, the economy, and business. It is essential that hauliers have access to appropriate roadside facilities to continue their crucial role in transporting essential items across the country. The draft revised NNNPS included new text recognising the strategic importance of providing appropriate lorry parking facilities and requires applicants to consider lorry parking needs (including at SRFIs). Lorry parking is listed as one of the examples of associated development in the DLUHC guidance. As set out above, the government is currently analysing responses to its call for evidence on freight and the planning system (which included a question on what more local plans and decisions could do to facilitate the supply of high-quality HGV parking and driver facilities).