Local Transport Today is the authoritative, independent journal for transport decision makers. Analysis, Comment & News on Transport Policy, Planning, Finance and Delivery since 1989.

Government urged to follow Australia and cut travel costs

Pressure is mounting on the Government to reverse its plan to raise fuel duty in September, and take other measures to reduce the cost of travel. Commentators are... continue

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2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News
DfT unveils vision to make journeys easier to pay for, simpler and more reliable

DfT unveils vision to make journeys easier to pay for, simpler and more reliable

The much anticipated national transport strategy has been released by the DfT, with what it describes as “40 fully funded commitments” to make everyday journeys simpler, easier to pay for and more reliable “from door to door”. The Better Connected strategy, to be published on Thursday 2 April,... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

Extended use of National Parking Platform app for other transport payments planned

The Government is urging local authorities in England to join the National Parking Platform (NPP), a ‘one-stop-shop’ service that enables drivers to use an app of their choice when paying for parking. The DfT will publish statutory guidance advising councils to adopt the NPP. Details... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

ATE to advise councils on making streets safer for women and girls
Deniz Huseyin

Local authorities are to be sent Government guidance advising them how to make streets safer for women and girls. Active Travel England (ATE) said guidance will be published alongside training sessions in the spring. Looking at active travel through the lens of gender can help create safer and more... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

DfT appraisal review set to change transport priorities, as TASM strategy awaits implications
Peter Stonham

Recommendations awaited from a Department for Transport commissioned independent expert review of its appraisal methods could mean new priorities emerge for transport investment.  The review, now understood to be being finalised, is described as being a comprehensive look at modernising how... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

DfT now working on new Transport Poverty identification tool with DWP
Peter Stonham

The Department for Transport is now developing a new Transport Poverty Tool to combat poverty and meet government objectives to boost access to employment, education and training. It is mentioned in the DfT’s new Transport Data Action Plan   LTT understands the work also involves... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News
Transport Data Action Plan will build ‘seamless and secure’ ecosystem

Transport Data Action Plan will build ‘seamless and secure’ ecosystem
Deniz Huseyin

The DfT has unveiled its Transport Data Action Plan (DAP) in a push... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News
DfT-EEH taskforce to demonstrate delivery of new integrated transport strategy

DfT-EEH taskforce to demonstrate delivery of new integrated transport strategy
Peter Stonham

England’s Economic Heartland has launched an Integration Taskforce in... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News
Shoaf switch signals new key DFTO role in shaping GBR leadership

Shoaf switch signals new key DFTO role in shaping GBR leadership
Peter Stonham

Latest moves in the impending creation of Great British... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

Alexander gives Haines (and Hendy) detailed mission to now create GBR

In a letter from Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to Sir Andrew Haines in his new role as Chair of DfT Operator Limited (DFTO) she outlines a series of critical tasks and expectations for him in leading the transition to Great British Railways (GBR). The five page detailed letter defines a... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News
Scottish Government will use GBR influence to help its support for open access

Scottish Government will use GBR influence to help its support for open access

The Scottish Government’s greater influence following rail reform could provide a boost for open access operations. While the UK Government has sent mixed messages on the merits of open access passenger trains, the Scottish Government is clearly supportive. One difference is that open access applications... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

Councils invited to share £165m fund for roads to ‘stalled housing and employment sites’

The government has announced a new £165 million fund to fund roads which “will unblock housing and employment sites across England, delivering the critical road infrastructure that developers need to get building.” The Department for Transport said the investment would target... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

Investing in SRN will reduce regional inequalities and kickstart economy, says Alexander
Chris Ames

 The third Road Investment Strategy (RIS 3), just published, gives National Highways nearly £25bn to maintain, renew and operate the strategic road network (SRN), with a significant increase on renewing what ministers described as “ageing assets”. The RIS, “presented to... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

New strategy offers no clarity on how Designated Funds will be spent
Chris Ames

RIS 3 will include four new-look National Programmes, described as “a new way of delivering defined outputs” and running alongside existing Designated Funds, which cover some of the same themes, such as safety and the environment. However, the new strategy appears to ignore advice from... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

National Highways scales back ambition on road casualty reduction outcomes
Chris Ames

National Highways lobbied for the removal of a network-wide target for reducing serious casualties on the strategic road network (SRN) under the new RIS as it was set to miss its RIS 2 target, it has emerged. Documents published by regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) suggest that National... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

NH water quality plans even more cloudy after regulator intervention
Chris Ames

National Highways’ longstanding pledge to mitigate “high priority” water outfalls on its network by 2030 is mired in confusion after its regulator questioned whether it could be achieved following a doubling of costs and the new RIS appeared to backtrack on the pledge. The... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

DfT drops plans to add more emergency areas on smart motorways
Chris Ames

Campaigners have slammed the DfT after it quietly dropped a commitment to consider adding more emergency areas (EAs) on smart motorways under the new RIS, leaving the network short of the spacing standard recommended by MPs in a landmark report. In its November 2021 report on smart motorways, the... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

Welsh councils can now install side road zebras but no sign of DfT following suit
Rhodri Clark

Wales has set another example for the rest of the UK to follow by enabling all local authorities to install simplified zebra crossings at side roads. In the UK public realm, this type of crossing was first trialled informally in 2018 at two sites in Salford. Unauthorised by the DfT and intended... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News
Asphalt Industry Alliance says £18.62bn needed to address repairs backlog

Asphalt Industry Alliance says £18.62bn needed to address repairs backlog
Deniz Huseyin

Local authorities in England and Wales need a one-off payment totalling... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News
Bristow condemns decision to scrap DCO for A47 upgrade

Bristow condemns decision to scrap DCO for A47 upgrade
Deniz Huseyin

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

Wiltshire angered by A303 Stonehenge Tunnel Scheme revocation
Deniz Huseyin

Wiltshire Council has expressed disappointment at the Government’s decision to revoke the development consent order (DCO) for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Stonehenge Tunnel scheme. The Government halted the project in July 2024, and has now revoked the scheme, which means it cannot go... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News
Public and cross-party support for net zero policies in decline, study finds

Public and cross-party support for net zero policies in decline, study finds
Deniz Huseyin

Government policy for delivering net zero is in danger of losing public... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News
Aviation sector faces challenges in meeting 2050 net zero target, says taskforce

Aviation sector faces challenges in meeting 2050 net zero target, says taskforce
Deniz Huseyin

The UK’s aviation sector must address “key challenges” if it... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

UK’s first electric flight tests start in Scotland
Deniz Huseyin

Flight tests of electric aircraft have started in the UK for the first time, carrying Royal Mail parcels to remote Scottish communities. Loganair and BETA Technologies are working with Royal Mail to demonstrate the all-electric cargo  flights. The first of a series of demonstration flights... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News
Bus passenger satisfaction up but with big regional discrepancies

Bus passenger satisfaction up but with big regional discrepancies
Deniz Huseyin

The percentage of satisfied bus passengers in England rose to... continue

2 Apr 2026Local Transport Today News

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