SEA Transport Planning

1302 Words3 Pages

The previous chapter presented some transport data and illustrated how transport planning is organised in England, highlighting the major challenges identified in the literature. It continued by on outlining important inputs of SEA to more sustainable transport planning without neglecting some of the most common weaknesses or opportunities for improvement of the process. This literature review would not, however, be enough to attain the aim proposed and completely answer the objectives (see section 1.2), unless it would be supported by the analysis of a ‘real-case scenario’, where some of the inputs of SEA could potentially be applied, and by gathering opinions and experiences of professional working in the area, in order to better realize current experience. The methodology used throughout the study is described and explained in this chapter.

3.1 Research Design

Following an initial literature review, a case study approach was followed in order to better investigate the contribution of SEA to decision-making in the transport sector and a number of semi-structured interviews were carried out to gain insight into different stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences and, therefore, to better elaborate on the objectives. This type of qualitative research, which is related to in-depth exploratory studies, is recommended when an opportunity for ‘quality’ responses exists (Biggam, 2008).

The case study selected was identified by some of the people contacted as a good example of an SEA process, where it could have influenced decision-making and contributed to a perceptible improvement in the environmental and sustainability concerns of the transport plan/ strategy.

A first thought on reviewing Environmental Reports was dropped, ...

... middle of paper ...

...ther hand, most interviewees have limited their participation to less than 30 min for time constraints. Longer interviews could have generated better quality information.

The fact that the case study selected is approximately 5 years old could be seen with criticism, once SEA practice has obviously evolved ever since. Nonetheless, other options such as LTP2, would have similar limitations and the most recent SEA in the transport sector – LTP3, which are mainly being carried out in-house because of generalised cost-reductions – are still in a preliminary stage, what would not inform the study on the outcomes of SEA and its influence on the decision. On the other hand, the recent Ports National Policy Statement's appraisal of sustainability has been criticised. Interviewing people who were involved in the development of LTP3 was thought to minimise this limitation.

Open Document