PUBLIC INQUIRIES: WHAT DO THEY ACHIEVE?
This paper reviews the system of public inquiries and questions whether they achieve their objectives and whether the processes are democratic. Do the promotors of schemes and their objectors feel that they have had a fair hearing and do inspectors consider they have heard a balanced presentation of the facts? The system should ensure that schemes are properly researched and developed before submission and that promoters have adopted designs which reduce objection to a minimum. It is not always obvious that this is so. On the other hand, 'professional objectors' and pressure groups who are more concerned with national and political issues contribute little to the democratic process. Finally, the merits or otherwise of an alternative method of critically examining schemes in public are discussed and a recommendation made by the author in the light of his experience in giving technical evidence at a number of public inquiries. (Author/TRRL)
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was presented at Seminar J, Highway Appraisal and Design, during the PTRC 11th Summer Annual Meeting, Sussex University, England, July 4-7, 1983.
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Corporate Authors:
PTRC Education and Research Services Limited
110 Strand
London WC2, EnglandPTRC Education and Research Services Limited
110 Strand
London WC2, England -
Authors:
- WILSON, L O
- AUSTIN, WTF
- Conference:
- Publication Date: 1983
Media Info
- Pagination: p. 41-46
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Conferences; Evaluation and assessment; Highway planning; Highways; Planning; Politics; Public hearings; Public participation
- ITRD Terms: 8525: Conference; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 2755: Highway; 143: Planning; 142: Public participation
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Society; I10: Economics and Administration; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00385415
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
- Report/Paper Numbers: Volume P239
- Files: ITRD, TRIS
- Created Date: May 30 1984 12:00AM