10-March-2003

Transport vision for Solent area sought at conference in Southampton

More than 100 delegates will be attending the 'transport in the Solent area: a vision for 2025' summit organised by local MP Alan Whitehead and being held at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, between 9.25 and 1.10pm on Thursday 13 March 2003.

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test and summit organiser, says,
"Transport is constantly in the news but we rarely allow ourselves time to think big about the future of transport. The aim of this major summit is to allow delegates to take one step back and develop a vision of what the Solent area might look like in 2025 but perhaps importantly how the transport network will operate and what we need to do to build a high quality transport system. "

Delegates will take part in 3 discussion forums on 'Are there technical fixes for transport problems?', 'How can policy decisions affect transport in the Solent area in 2025?' and 'How do we plan the needs of Southampton as a regional transport centre?'. The main plenary session will attempt to plot a vision for the future of transport in the Solent area and what it will mean for the area economically, environmentally and socially. The keynote speaker at the transport summit will be Transport Minister David Jamieson.

The summit is being supported by Skandia Life and uni-link. Southampton & Fareham Chamber of Commerce has also assisted with the planning of the conference.

Alan Whitehead continues,
"The 1401 people who responded to my transport questionnaire have clearly shown that transport matters to them. There is a strong recognition among local people and organisations about the need to invest in transport and that by working together we can enhance the local quality of life through transport. I'm hoping that the transport summit will be the start of a process that outlines a clear and realistic vision of a transport network that the public, all tiers of the public sector, voluntary sector and business community can sign up to."

A new initiative between Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council called 'Solent Transport' will be launched following the transport summit.

ENDS

Notes to editors
1. A copy of the agenda and more information on the speakers is available on request from Alan Whitehead's constituency office.
2. The summary results from transport questionnaires are also available Alan Whitehead's constituency office.
3. Speakers at the conference will include: Transport Minister David Jamieson; Cllr Richard Williams from Southampton City Council; Cllr Keith Estlin from Hampshire County Council; Cllr Phil Shaddock from Portsmouth City Council; Vicky Cann, Policy Director at Transport 2000; Colin Matthews from the Energy Savings Trust; Tony Grayling, Associate Director the Institute of Public Policy Research; Lindsay Gardener from the South East of England Regional Assembly; Paul Clifton from BBC South; Professor Mike Mc Donald, Professor David Jeffery and Professor John Ekins from the Transportation Research Group at the University of Southampton.
4. Alan Whitehead is available for interview. Photographs from the transport summit will also be available on request.

Contact

Mike Collins in the constituency office on 023 8023 1942 or 07855 328914

ENDS