Local Transport Plans
Making services accessible: mobile library partially powered by solar panels. Photo: © Midlands Co-operative
Local Transport Plans (LTPs) set out local authorities’ policies and funding proposals for local transport. The existing LTPs cover the 2006-2011 period but in the future LTPs will no longer need to cover five year periods, meaning that each local area will have the flexibility to decide what works best for it.
LTPs are drawn up by county councils, unitary authorities and, in the larger urban areas, Integrated Transport Authorities. District and borough councils are consulted on but not responsible for LTPs. Separate arrangements exist in London and outside England.
Many authorities have already started initial consultation on their new LTPs, so that everything can be finalised by the end of 2010. Some are already planning to use their new LTP to create set of policies for as far as 20 years into the future, with separate delivery plans covering three years at a time.
LTPs should cover accessibility planning as well as transport. That can mean bringing services closer to users rather than just improving transport services to them.
CPRE branches and district groups across the country are involved in making sure that LTPs support sustainable development and protect the countryside. If you want to make a difference why not contact your local CPRE group?
> CPRE's network of local groups
The process in London is somewhat different and our local group there has responded in detail to the draft Mayor's Transport Strategy at the start of 2010. Elements of the response may be very useful for responses to LTPs in other areas.
> CPRE London's response to the Mayor's Transport Strategy
Essential reading
> How to create a transport plan - this sets out the new approach of working out solutions to transport problems. LTPs should use this approach to look at issues in a new light, rather than trying to resurrect pet projects. It is a summary of an article in the September 2009 edition of Fieldwork, CPRE's campaigning newsletter
> Checklist for LTPs - written by Campaign for Better Transport, with significant input from CPRE, this sets out checklists for the process of developing LTPs, their policies and their implementation.
Information from the Department for Transport
The information here is more detailed and is useful for browsing through for reference.
> Delivering sustainable, low carbon, travel: An essential guide for Local Authorities - using examples of good practice, this guides local authorities to create packages of measures for their LTPs
> DfT policies and best practice handbook - this is an index of links to other various web sites about a wide range of transport. Be aware that walking, cycling, car clubs and travel planning are all hidden away under the 'Sustainable Travel' heading.
> DfT guidance on the content of LTPs (pdf file) - this is the statutory guidance that local authorities must have regard to when drawing up their LTP.
Information on progress in each local authority
We hope to have a list of progress in each local authority area added here by Spring 2010.
> List of links to individual authorities' LTP2s for 2006-2011 - compiled by Friends of the Earth
> DfT progress reports for local authorities - this sets out how each LTP was progressing in 2009
Information from other organisations
We work with a wide range of other organisations at the local, regional and national levels and have included a selection of links to their information on LTPs.
> Information from LTP campaigner days organised by an alliance of NGOs in September 2009
> Addressing rural issues in LTPs - Commission for Rural Communities
> Guidance on LTPs and Integrating LTPs and Rights of Way Improvement Plans (RoWIPs) - Natural England
> Planning for Sustainable Travel - highlights the importance of links between Local Transport Plans and Local Development Frameworks
> Getting serious about local transport - Friends of the Earth campaign briefing on LTP3s
> LTPs: understand the process - Campaign for Better Transport
> Cycling: a local transport solution - CTC, the national cyclists' organisation
