10 Key Takeaways from the latest Local Transport Plan 2026 guidance

The Department for Transport released a new version of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) guidance on the 2^nd of April 2026 alongside the new National Integrated Transport Strategy ‘Better Connected’.

The long-awaited guidance describes the Government’s expectations on how Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) should fulfil their statutory duties, and the role of Local Transport Plans in this.

The new guidance marks a notable shift from ‘predict and provide’ to ‘vision-led’ transport planning aimed at a clear set of agreed outcomes. So what has changed? Here are 10 things you need to know.

1. The guidance consistently uses the words ‘must’ and ‘should’ to indicate where the DfT considers following the guidance to be either mandatory (‘must’) or expected (‘should’). The DfT plans to update the guidance regularly to provide as current assistance to Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) as possible.
2. LTAs must demonstrate how their LTP and other transport strategies support national priorities for local transport such as the eight priorities in ‘Better Connected’. Whilst many of these are familiar others, such as ‘align transport & development’ and ‘champion data & technology’ may require LTAs to develop new policies.
3. The guidance sets clearer expectations of the content of LTPs and what LTAs are expected to do. It also highlights other topic-specific guidance and the support LTAs can expect from the DfT. Whilst most content is familiar, new requirements include approaches to integrated ticketing, accessibility & inclusion, travel to school, active travel, micromobility, EV infrastructure and a vision for bus services. LTAs must also publish annual transparency reports on highways maintenance and a bus network accessibility plan. Further, LTAs must have an enhanced bus partnership or be working towards bus franchising to receive DfT bus funding.
4. LTPs must adopt an outcomes-focussed approach which prioritises sustainable transport options. Whilst most LTPs have done this for some time, the new guidance mandates such thinking, including an expectation that only projects or programmes which contribute to reducing transport carbon will be delivered.
5. Strong alignment with other local strategies is required, particularly in terms of delivering outcomes supporting accessibility education & skills, enabling economic growth and delivering housing. Better integration with Local Plans and Strategic Development Strategies will mean the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will become more relevant, especially whilst awaiting updated Planning Practice Guidance on transport.
6. Reporting on the carbon impacts of the LTP measures is now mandatory (as part of the Local Transport Outcomes Framework –see ‘7’) rather than being something which LTPs should aim for. The long-awaited Local Transport Quantifiable Carbon Guidance (QCG) should be used to forecast these impacts, with the results set out in the LTA’s Local Transport Delivery Plans (LTDPs) and Outcome Delivery Plans (ODPs) (see ‘8’).
7. The DfT has set out the local transport outcomes it expects LTAs to achieve. These should be reflected in the LTP’s priorities and the choice of projects included in the delivery plan. The ‘Local Transport Outcomes Framework’ (LTOF, for LTAs which are not mayoral strategic authorities) sets 16 national priority outcome indicators which LTAs must report on. Five of these rely on local data sources, including transport carbon impacts.
8. LTDPs and ODPs replace the functions of implementation plans. They are more detailed than their predecessors and are ‘live’ delivery documents to be updated and submitted to the DfT annually. Interventions which are not included in these plans, or which fail to meet the LTOF criteria may be ineligible for Integrated Transport Funding. LTDPs must also demonstrate how the programme will achieve the local net zero trajectory.
9. LTA Section 151 or Section 73 officers much confirm that the LTDP represents value for money. The DfT may designate a scheme as ‘retained’, meaning they may be subject to additional engagement with the DfT, approval of the business case, and/or additional monitoring and evaluation.
10. There is greater emphasis on monitoring and evaluation of LTP programmes. LTAs are expected to collect data on the delivery of interventions against time and budget, and monitor progress towards planned outputs and targets.

If you would like to discuss what the new guidance might mean for your LTP or how you can use the guidance to turn the new policies into practical, impactful programmes, please get in touch with us at info@cityscience.com