Future scenarios and strategic choices - Transport Policy and Planning in Great Britain - page 426

The former Economy objective is redefined more specifically in terms of contributing
to GDP growth whilst the accessibility objective is redefined in terms of 'greater
equality of transport opportunity'. The Integration objective is dropped altogether.
Taken together at face value these have rather peculiar implications. The comfort
and convenience of people making ordinary journeys (previously incorporated as an
element of economic efficiency) does not figure explicitly, but may come to be addressed
as part of the 'quality of life' goal. Isolating equality of opportunity (= tackling social
disadvantage) as a goal without reference to the desirability of improving accessibility
(opportunities) for the population as a whole appears as an omission which may or may
not be intended. It also severs the link with land use policies previously recognised
under the Integration objective.
Some of these apparent anomalies may come to be rectified as part of the 'refresh'
of the full NATA framework. This is an exercise which is being undertaken in parallel
and includes further work on the measurement and valuation of particular types
of impact following Eddington's recommendation that the scope of the monetised
elements of the Department's 'Value for Money' assessments should be extended
where practicable.
A consultation paper on the NATA Refresh (DfT 2007r) highlighted five areas in
which the framework needed to be developed so that:

• more strategic analysis across modes could be undertaken at various levels in
decision-making

Box 24.4 Future policy goals

Consultation version TaSTS (DfT 2007s) Revised version DaSTS (DfT 2008g)

Maximising the overall competitiveness
and productivity of the national economy,
so as to achieve a sustained high level of
GDP growth.

To support economic competitiveness
and growth by delivering reliable and
efficient transport networks.

Reducing transport's emissions of CO 2
and other greenhouse gases, with the
desired outcome of avoiding dangerous
climate change.

To reduce transport's emissions of carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases, with
the desired outcome of tackling climate
change.

Contributing to better health and longer
life-expectancy through reducing the risk
of death, injury or illness arising from
transport, and promoting travel modes
that are beneficial to health.

To contribute to better safety, security
and health and longer life-expectancy by
reducing the risk of death, injury or illness
arising from transport and by promoting
travel modes that are beneficial to health.

Improving quality of life for transport
users and non-transport users, including
through a healthy natural environment,
with the desired outcome of improved
well-being for all.

To promote greater equality of opportunity
for all citizens, with the desired outcome
of achieving a fairer society.

Promoting greater equality of transport
opportunity for all citizens, with the
desired outcome of achieving a fairer
society.

To improve quality of life for transport
users and non-transport users, and to
promote a healthy natural environment.