Monday 22nd February 2010 PR08

GOVERNMENT’S PORTS POLICY ‘ALL AT SEA’ SAYS RTPI

The RTPI, the professional body that represents 22,000 planners has slammed the Government’s recently published draft planning policy on ports provision as ‘unfit for purpose’ in a formal response to the consultation on a National Policy Statement for Ports, which will determine how proposals to build new port facilities are decided upon by the new Infrastructure Planning Commission.

Matt Thomson, Acting Director Policy & Partnerships at the RTPI said:

“The draft national policy statement on ports is not fit for purpose as it fails to justify the need for building any new ports, or give any guidance on how they should relate to road and rail networks or centres of industry or population.

Instead it leaves decisions about where ports should be entirely for the market to determine, which offers no security for investors or for local communities that may be affected. Nor does it consider impacts on Britain’s existing ports, improvements to which may be a better option than building an entirely new port.”

There is no identified urgency to provide new ports in the UK, with a number of port developments already under construction. The RTPI therefore urges the Department for Transport to think again about the need for this ports policy, instead of rushing out a half-baked proposal.”

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Jamie Hodge, RTPI Communications and Public Affairs Officer.

T: 020 7929 8182

M 07826 849 165

E jamie.hodge@rtpi.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. The RTPI’s full response to the consultation on the Ports NPS can be found at http://www.rtpi.org.uk/item/3117&ap=1

2. RTPI: The Royal Town Planning Institute

The RTPI is the largest professional institute for planners in Europe, with over 22,000 members who serve in government, local government and as advisors in the private sector.. It is a charity with the purpose to develop the art and science of town planning for the benefit of the public as a whole.

As well as promoting spatial planning, RTPI develops and shapes policy affecting the built environment, works to raise professional standards and supports members through continuous education, training and development. For further general information, visit the RTPI website at: www.rtpi.org.uk

41 Botolph Lane, London, EC3R 8DL

RTPI, a charity registered in England 262865 and Scotland SC 037841

Author:

Jamie Hodge

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

22-Feb-10

Categories:

 

Sections:

News & Media , The RTPI

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