Local Transport Plan consultation 2026

Consultation closes: Sunday 20 September 2026
Consultation opened: Monday 29 June 2026

Central Bedfordshire’s fourth Local Transport Plan (Draft LTP) is a high-level strategic document (required by the Transport Act 2000) setting out the core policies that steer our overall approach to transport and travel.

Supporting the draft LTP are a series of interlinked plans, policies and strategies – providing additional detail on a range of transport related topics.

The draft LTP outlines how, by 2040, we will seek to realise our vision of:

a place where people have access to a sustainable and future proofed transport system that provides a variety of attractive and realistic travel choices.

Local context

Central Bedfordshire has a growing population and is a predominantly rural area. 

Opportunities to travel by means other than the car are limited. The rural nature of much of Central Bedfordshire is in part responsible for car ownership levels (and usage) that are higher than the national average.

Central Bedfordshire is served by excellent transport links, including parts of the strategic road network such as the M1 and A1, and the Midland, East Coast and West Coast main line railways. Whilst bringing connectivity benefits, the presence of strategic roads generates significant through traffic, impacting carbon emissions – adding to an existing challenge for the draft LTP.

Guiding principles

Our principles are:

• be vision and data led
• prioritise the most vulnerable
• take a holistic approach
• provide value for money; 
• be proactive in identifying funding
• work in partnership

For more information about these principles, see page 12 of the Draft LTP.

Themes

Our vision is underpinned by four key themes which are summarised below. These themes and objectives are supported by policies and actions to ensure that they are reflected in every aspect of our transport decision making and project delivery across the council.

The full details of the proposed policies and actions are set out in the Draft LTP; page numbers are provided for easy reference to the relevant sections. 

Theme 1: Enabling people to live happier, healthier lives (page 15 of the Draft LTP)

Our objectives are to create more attractive streets and vibrant communities and look to improve our residents’ physical and mental health.

Policies that will help us to achieve this include considering transport options available to access essential services, prioritising active travel in town and village centres and supporting residents to develop healthy travel habits for life. 

Theme 2: Helping businesses and communities to thrive and prosper (page 28 of the Draft LTP)

Our objectives are to seek to provide the effective access businesses and communities need to reach their full potential while also helping to realise new sustainable growth opportunities and supporting new technology, where beneficial.

Policies to help us achieve this include supporting non-car options for accessing local services and reducing single-occupancy car use; seeking to influence others to help facilitate and encourage sustainable development; and seeking to improve strategic transport networks and supporting technological advancements that facilitate digital access and improve transport and travel. 

Theme 3: Making transport safer and more equitable for everyone (Page 45 of the Draft LTP)

Our objectives are to work to reduce the number and severity of casualties and collisions on our transport network and help people feel safer whilst travelling, alongside working to enable everyone to reach their destinations no matter who they are or where they live.

Policies that will help us to achieve this include more accessible and safer road designs and speed limits; road safety awareness and education; and working with others to reduce barriers to sustainable travel options. 

Theme 4: Preserving and enhancing Central Bedfordshire’s special natural and built environment (Page 59 of the Draft LTP)

Our objectives are to consider the impacts of transport schemes, support and enhance biodiversity, take action to minimise transport-related air and noise pollution, support the decarbonisation of the transport network and work to adapt it to the effects of climate change and extreme weather.

Policies that will help us to achieve this include considering the historic environment, landscapes, townscapes and heritage assets, in the development of new transport schemes and when maintaining existing transport infrastructure, while ensuring infrastructure is resilient to the effects of extreme weather and climate change, alongside working to reduce CO2e emissions from transport operations and transport schemes (including maintenance).