Participatory local governance and transport planning

In this paper we evaluate the experience of public participation in local t ransport planning in the United Kingdom. In the context of a new emphasis o n participation in central government policy rhetoric and planning guidance , we examine the rationales, methods, and outcomes of recent public partici pation initiatives. Through drawing on a questionnaire survey distributed t o all English highway authorities and a content analysis of provisional loc al transport policy documents, we explore not only the extent of activity a nd innovation in public participation, but identify and reflect upon the fa ilures of current practice and the barriers which constrain further develop ment. We conclude that, although examples of at least partial success in de veloping carefully conceptualised, inclusive, and meaningful participation programmes can be identified, most have been grounded in political expedien cy. Motivations for seeking public involvement have been instrumental in na ture rather than drawing on wider substantive and normative arguments. It i s suggested that issues relating to both the supply of opportunities and th e level of demand have a role to play in understanding and potentially reso lving current barriers to involvement. However, we also stress the need to step back from this dualistic analytical framework and instead to consider the significance of the broader political context and motivations for publi c participation. It is concluded that future developments in public partici pation will need to move beyond innovation in terms of technique alone, inc reasingly to engage with issues relating to the purpose of participation, t he management of process acid outcomes, and structural conditions which inf luence individual decisions about 'taking part'.