The Department for Transport’s recently updated Local Transport Plan (LTP) guidance sets a new direction for how local authorities shape the future of transport across England.

The guidance reinforces the need for clear, evidence based plans that not only meet statutory duties but support wider goals in in shaping healthier, better connected and more sustainable communities.

A few key takeaways stand out:

✅ Place-based planning at the core – transport underpins access to jobs, education, and services. It must be fully integrated with housing, economic development and spatial planning.

✅ Vision-led, outcomes focused planning – moving beyond “predict and provide” to define the places we want to create, prioritising sustainable travel and aligning with long term local strategies.

✅ Stronger focus on delivery and partnership – LTPs need credible pathways, backed by clear funding strategies, performance measures and collaboration across organisations.

At Transport for the South East, we’re ready to support local authorities through this next phase by:

• Providing a robust regional evidence base to support the development of robust LTPs and transport schemes

• Supporting cross boundary coordination and partnership working

• Offering data, analytics and modelling to strengthen LTP evidence

• Helping translate decarbonisation, connectivity and economic priorities into deliverable plans and interventions

Together, we can deliver ambitious, aligned and future ready Local Transport Plans for the South East.

For the full guidance visit: Local transport plans – GOV.UK

(Image: Reading BC)