Local Transport Plan for Kent 2006-11

1.1 Transport is becoming an increasingly important part of people’s lives. This is not because transport is an end in itself, nor is it important in its own right. It is because transport is essential for giving people access to work, learning, health care, food shops and leisure activities. Those without access to a car can be excluded from life opportunities if they are unable to reach these destinations by other means. This applies especially to disabled people, younger and older people, carers, people from ethnic communities and those on a low income. Accessibility can be reduced as a result of the cost of transport; its availability or the lack of knowledge of its availability; the fear of crime, and by the transport itself being physically difficult to use. Relatively high levels of deprivation, low car ownership and a dispersed settlement pattern exist in Kent, making accessibility a particularly relevant issue for over 1 in 5 households in the County.

1.2 Whilst those without access to a car are becoming more isolated and disadvantaged, excessive use of the private car is starting to threaten people’s quality of life and the environment. Congestion has a negative impact upon prosperity, quality of life and public health through poor air quality. The emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the main driver of climate change. Road traffic also accounts for over half of the total emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulates (PM₁₀). These pollutants not only damage the environment, but also our health. Being the Gateway between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe means the road network through Kent and in some of the larger towns regularly suffers from congestion. From Dartford to Dover, poor air quality is an important issue affecting people living near the motorway and trunk road network, and in urban centres.

1.3 Britain has a comparatively good road safety record. The casualty reduction targets for deaths and serious injuries, set in 1987, have been achieved. Road deaths have fallen by nearly 40% and serious injuries by 45% compared to the 1981-85 average. In Kent, the number of people killed and seriously injured on County roads has dropped by a third since the mid-nineties, and by nearly one half for children. However, 685 people were still killed or seriously injured on Kent’s roads in 2004. The economic and human costs of these statistics are significant and underline why road safety is a key issue for people in the County.

1.4 These four principles of better accessibility, reducing problems of congestion, air quality and road safety, are the shared priorities between local and central Government. They are especially pertinent in Kent and they sum up why transport is important to people. However, they are not exclusive. Transport is important to people for a host of other reasons. Thames Gateway and Ashford are two growth areas in Kent identified under the Sustainable Communities agenda. How the transport needs of these areas will be met is a key issue for people living in the County, and indeed for the strategies and spending plans in this LTP.

1.5 Public health is important to people everywhere. Although residents in Kent have an above average life expectancy, there are large areas in East and North Kent where it is lower. There is also evidence of poorer levels of health in East and North Kent.  This is illustrated in Figure 1.1 below.

Figure 1.1 Population Classifying their Health as 'Not Good'

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1.6 Transport policy can contribute to addressing specific health issues including fitness levels, child and adult obesity, chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, strokes or diabetes and people killed or injured on the roads. Key actions include improving air quality, encouraging the wider use of sustainable transport modes, reducing the number and severity of casualties on Kent's highways  and increasing access to health facilities.  The County Council is working in partnership with the National Health Service to progress these areas of activity through the LTP and supporting documents including the Accessibility Strategy for Kent (ASK) and Kent Road Safety Plan.

1.7 This principle is equally true of the quality of public spaces, streetscape and community safety, which are important issues for the County, especially in those parts which are less privileged. Public policy, as an example  the new Kent Design Guide, can make a significant and real difference to people’s quality of life.

1.8 In eight of the ten district-based community strategies produced by Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) in the County, accessibility, congestion, improving public transport and community safety are amongst the top three key issues identified by the wide range of partners involved. Evidence of how important transport issues are in Kent to people's quality of life is often highlighted through the work of the Kent Resident’s Panel. This shows four issues under the direct or indirect influence of transport policy amongst the top ten contributory factors for good quality of life in the County. These are highlighted in Table 1.1 below.

Table 1.1 Top Ten Factors affecting quality of life in Kent

Top Ten Aspects that are important in making Kent a good place to live	%
Low Level of crime	55
Clean Streets	54
Road and pavement repairs	39
Health services	24
Shopping Facilities	20
Low level of traffic congestion	19
Education provision	18
Parks and open spaces	18
Affordable decent housing	18
Public transport	17