It is expected that the thorough analysis of existing and future problems and opportunities will have comprised an integral part of the methodology adopted to develop the study and, therefore, clear evidence of existing and future problems and opportunities should be presented in the STAG Report.
A textual statement of the assessment of problems and opportunities together with identification of any Issues and Constraints should be presented in the STAG Report. The statement should summarise the sources of data and any consultation activities undertaken. It should highlight the key problems, Issues, Constraints and opportunities are and, where appropriate, also provide details of associated severity/magnitude of such problems, Issues, Constraints and opportunities. Tables and figures may be useful but are not essential. The use of GIS and mapping software can help illustrate problems succinctly.
The summary should be comprehensive in its identification of problems, issues and constraints facing a study, but it should also be concise. If necessary, supporting technical appendices should be prepared to present the detail of analysis or surveys but these are only likely to be necessary for the largest appraisals such as those for a transport corridor study or for a major road or public transport option.
Practitioners should avoid simply providing background information for the study area. The geographic scope of the study should be presented with clear evidence of the problems and/or opportunities together with the methods of analysis used.
A geographical display of problems, issues, constraints and opportunities can be very useful, in that it provides:
