Access all areas: integrating accessibility planning into the local transport planning process.

This study assesses how the Department for Transport and Local Transport Authorities have embedded Accessibility Planning into the local transport planning process, and how these agencies have worked across government sectors to address problems of social exclusion and poor accessibility for those most in need. Steer Davies Gleave was commissioned in October 2005 to run the Department for Transports Accessibility Planning Training and Advisory Programme (branded withinreach) as a 27-month project to assist all authorities to develop their Accessibility Strategies. The programme not only supported authorities with training and advice, but also led research streams into the integration of accessibility planning in Local Transport Authorities, their partners, delivery agencies and other Central GovernmentDepartments. Where there has been success in integrating accessibility planning, there is always room for improvement and barriers to surmount. Local Authorities now employ full time accessibility planners. This is a recognised professional discipline and this professional integration has succeeded in delivering integrated planning. Within Local Authorities, differing levels of support and understanding are found from senior officers and council members for the promotion of social inclusion. Some Central Government Departments have taken a more proactive role in promoting Accessibility Planning to the local level than others. Consequently, forging partnerships with the delivery agencies of other Central Government Departments at the local level has been difficult. Measuring accessibility and social inclusion, through targets and indicators, is problematic, especially if froma solely transport perspective. Incorporating Accessibility Planning intoand addressing social exclusion through the transport planning process isstill at an early stage, however good practice is emerging and the extentto which the appropriate political and planning environment has been established is assessed. For the covering abstract see ITRD E137145.