National Policy Statements (NPS) are a key component of the new planning system for nationally significant infrastructure projects, introduced by the Planning Act 2008. The Act stipulates that a proposal for a National Policy Statement will be subject to public consultation and allows for parliamentary scrutiny before designation as national policy by the Secretary of State. The draft Ports National Policy Statement (Department for Transport, 2009) has been welcomed by many organisations as a good start which can be built upon. The Committee has recommended a number of modifications and expects the Department will improve the draft as a result of the consultation and scrutiny processes. The Committee has reservations regarding the Government's 2007 policy for ports and the lack of guidance on location for port development in the NPS but this, of itself, does not make the NPS unfit for purpose. But the Committee cannot recommend designation at this stage on two counts. Firstly, a key, related policy statement - the National Networks NPS - has yet to be published. Secondly, the organisation likely to be one of the principal decision-makers for port development - the Marine Management Organisation - has yet to be established and so has been unable to comment on guidance that will be of great importance to its role. These are fundamental flaws in the consultation process and the Ports NPS should not be designated until they are rectified.

This document focuses on town centre planning policy applicable throughout England, which should be taken into account by regional and local planning bodies in the preparation of regional spatial strategies and local development policies. It contains four chapters which cover the following topics: the Government's objectives; pro-active town centre plans; development control; monitoring and review. This document replaces revised planning policy guidance note PPG6 ('Town centres and retail developments', 1996 ed., ISBN 0117532940) and subsequent relevant policy statements.

In a report out today (HCP 352 session 08/09 ISBN 9780215529206), the House of Commons Transport Select Committee tells education and transport ministers they must do far more to produce a modal shift away from cars towards public transport, dedicated school transport including ’Yellow Buses', walking and safer cycling schemes for British school children. The Transport Committee Chairman Louise Ellman MP says: "Young people deserve safe and affordable travel to education, leisure and employment. The journeys people make when young will influence their preferences and habits in adulthood." Also "Both the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Transport urgently need to identify how they are going to ensure children and young adults are not denied opportunities because public transport is either inadequate or too costly. In particular, travel should not present a barrier to accessing the new Diploma courses. For similar reasons much more should be done to identify children eligible for free school transport." The Committee recognise in their report that no single model will suit all situations and that car travel to school can be the most suitable method in some circumstances. However, they call on ministers to: provide high quality guidance and examples of best practice to illustrate when a dedicated school bus system is appropriate; top up the Education Maintenance Allowance for students from low income families and extend similar support for young people engaged in the new 14-19 diplomas; do more to encourage local authorities to identify pupils eligible for free school transport; consider the viability of a concessionary scheme offering reduced fares to young people; ensure that the Department for Transport, Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families work together so that national policy and practical implementation at the local level deliver both value for money and a greater number of joint initiatives that promote walking and cycling; help local authorities address the inherent tension between school choice and travel impact by raising awareness of sustainable school travel issues amongst parents and young people when they are selecting schools; in rural areas, review whether the maximum travel distance under which free transport may be provided allows for sufficient choice of schools; monitor the effectiveness of School Travel Plans. The Committee also calls on local authorities to consider new ways to fund and run innovative schemes that integrate transport, health and educational objectives for school travel.

This document sets forth the national policy agenda developed by the Department of Transportation to fulfill both short- and long-term transportation needs as the Nation prepares to meet future challenges and opportunities. This agenda revolves around six key themes: (1) Maintain and expand the Nation's transportation system; (2) Foster a sound financial base for transportation; (3) Keep the transportation industry strong and competitive; (4) Ensure that the transportation system supports public safety and national security; (5) Protect the environment and the quality of life; and (6) Advance U.S. transportation technology and expertise for the 21st century. This document expands upon these objectives and outlines the strategies and actions necessary to accomplish them.

Originally published in 1986, this book remains as relevant today as when it was first published, as it discusses issues in transport policy that are still being debated: what levels of subsidies should be applied; what form of ownership should prevail; how transport should be regulated or deregulated; and which modes of transport should be favoured. The book examines how policies have evolved, and what factors affect present decision making. It includes contentious areas such as international airline deregulation and urban transport.

This Directory means that a whole range of built environment professionals need never be caught out by the perversities of policy – in its formulation or on its journey into the real life of you and me. To have in one place the means of not only burrowing down into any one policy, but also of exploring the interconnections is a precious resource for any professional - ‘sustainability literate’ or not. Today, nobody who delivers our built environment can be excused from taking responsibility for the future. Armed with this Directory their contribution can only be made more effective. Sara Parkin OBE Forum for the Future This desk-top reference on sustainable development provides essential information for all who need to be up-to-date and familiar with the implications of the legal, fiscal and planning frameworks around the global and local sustainability agenda. It is relevant to a range of organisations and individuals - from national and local authorities, professional bodies, built environment professions, academia, environmental consultancies, non-governmental organisations and others. Carefully designed to facilitate access for a diverse range of stakeholders, it covers international, European, British and local policies in key built environment themes, and develops their inter-relationship to sustainable development. The Directory addresses each theme in a series of tables which summarise the policy purpose and also provide web-links to view the specific policy documents. The themes covered are: · Biodiversity · Climate Change · Construction · Energy · Environment · Planning · Pollution · Social Issues · Sustainable Development Policy and Practice · Transport · Urban Development · Waste Management · Water Other books of interest: The Green Guide to Specification Anderson ISBN: 1405119616 Smart & Sustainable Built Environments Yang Hardback ISBN: 1405124229 Sustainable Property Development Keeping Paperback ISBN: 0632058048 Previously Developed Land Syms Paperback 1405106972 Evaluating Sustainable Development Brandon 0632064862 Cover design by Garth Stewart www.thatconstructionsite.com

proposals for national policy statements on Energy : Third report of session 2009-10, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence