This report sought approval on a formal response to the Transport East Draft Transport Strategy public consultation “A 30-year transport strategy for the East”. The strategy is informed by the East’s unique contribution to the UK and specific challenges throughout the region. It identified a vision and four strategic priorities (decarbonisation to net-zero; connecting growing towns and cities; energising coastal and rural communities; and unlocking international gateways). It identified six core corridors that play a vital role in the movement of people and goods in the East, two of which flow through the borough.

A proposed response to the consultation on behalf of the Council is set out in Appendix A. This is broadly supportive of the high level aims of the 30-year strategy but raised concern that some of the specific transport issues in the borough are not sufficiently referenced. A consultation brochure providing an overview of the strategy is set out in Appendix B.

After a full discussion, Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Parker SECONDED the recommendations in the report. A vote was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Members are asked to:

R1. Approve the response to the Transport East 30-Year Strategy consultation, as set out in Appendix A.

Reasons for Recommendation:

Transport East is setting a setting a collective vision for the future of transport in Essex (and beyond), through a partnership that Brentwood Borough Council is part of. The proposed response set out in Appendix A on behalf of the Council expresses support for the 30-year strategy but challenges specific issues relevant to the borough that at present are not sufficiently covered. Ongoing partnership working with Transport East would enable these issues to be discussed and tackled.