Local Transport Plan (LTP) Executive Summary 2026 to 2041

People travel across BCP and Dorset for a wide range of reasons, regardless of administrative boundaries. By planning jointly, this LTP ensures we better reflect real travel patterns and needs.

It recognises the area’s diversity and focuses on delivering the right transport solutions in the right places, balancing rural, urban and coastal needs.

It also positions the area clearly for future devolution by setting out our shared priorities and investment requirements.

The existing LTP, adopted in 2011, no longer reflects the scale of change across Dorset and BCP. A new LTP is needed to respond to population growth, evolving travel patterns, climate impacts and rapid technological change.

The previous focus on increasing road capacity is no longer sufficient. The new LTP adopts a vision-led approach, aligning transport with housing growth, economic development and environmental priorities, to support long-term sustainable growth.

To develop the new plan we reviewed the existing LTP and evidence base to make sure we had an up-to-date understanding of transport across the area and how it was changing.

In 2024 we asked residents, visitors and stakeholders to tell us about the issues they experience when travelling and the opportunities they saw for transport across the area. Over 3,800 people shared their views.

In 2025 we consulted on a draft LTP. This generated 1,414 responses from residents, stakeholders and parish and town councils.

We also spoke to over 2,000 people at events across BCP and Dorset including dedicated sessions with the BCP Youth Forum, Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People and the Connected Dorset group

Feedback:

• strong support for focusing on public transport, safety and network resilience
• concerns around bus services in rural areas alongside issues around funding and rural inclusion
• concerns about the impact of congestion and the need to improve road maintenance
• the need to ensure that planning for new homes and jobs was joined up with the plan for transport

The strategy sets out a clear vision for transport, supported by 6 objectives to guide delivery, aligned with national and local policies. Supporting strategies provide further detail on key areas.

The Implementation Plan sets out how the strategy will be delivered by identifying schemes, interventions and timings of reviews. The Monitoring and Evaluation Plan outlines how we will monitor progress of the LTP against the objectives.

Our travel will be transformed through innovation and digital connectivity, creating accessible and inclusive travel choices for our residents, workers and visitors. Our transport network will support sustainable economic growth in our urban and rural communities, contribute to our decarbonisation targets and protect our unique local environment.

Objective:

• A: Safeguard the climate and environment
• B: Improve health and wellbeing
• C: Create accessible and prosperous places
• D: Enable a safer transport network
• E: A resilient and fit for purpose transport network
• F: Public transport that is inclusive and accessible

BCP Council:

• Bus Service Improvement Plan Corporate Strategy
• Dorset Road Safety Partnership Strategy
• Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan
• Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan Local Growth Plan
• Movement Strategy Parking Strategy
• Public Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy Rights of Way Improvement Plan
• Sustainable Modes of Travel to School Strategy

Dorset Council:

• Active Travel Infrastructure Plan Bus Service Improvement Plan
• Dorset Road Safety Partnership Strategy Electric Vehicle Strategy
• Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan Parking Strategy
• Rights of Way Improvement Plan

While multi year funding settlements provide greater certainty, securing sufficient funding remains a challenge.

The Implementation Plan sets out how the strategy will be delivered, including schemes, funding, phasing and local priorities.

Delivery is phased across three periods:

• IP1 2026 to 2031 (ready to deliver schemes)
• IP2 2031 to 2036 (developing schemes)
• IP3 2036 to 2041 (long term projects)

Over 95 schemes are identified, including:

• new walking, cycling and wheeling routes
• road safety schemes
• bus priority measures
• EV infrastructure expansion
• rail improvements
• junction improvements and traffic management schemes

For individual schemes appropriate local consultation (including methods such as randomised sample surveys) will take place at the development stage.

Delivery of the first phase requires over £315.8 million and will depend on ongoing government funding, developer funding and continued support from our transport partners to deliver schemes.

Timeline:

• 2026 - LTP Baseline report
• 2030/2031 - Implementation Plan 1 Monitoring report
• 2035/2036 - Implementation Plan 2 Monitoring report
• 2040/2041 - Implementation Plan 3 Monitoring report

Estimated funding for IP1:

• Dorset Council £203.5 million
• BCP Council £112.3 million
• Total £315.8 million

Progress will be monitored using a range of performance indicators contained within our Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, including:

• public transport use
• network reliability
• levels of walking and cycling
• road safety
• air quality

The baseline year of 2025 will be used to measure future performance against.

Progress reports will be published at the end of IP1 (2031) and every 5 years thereafter. This will help us to review the developing pipeline schemes and identify new interventions if required.

Delivery will be guided by close alignment with Local Plans and other strategies, supported by partnership working and a phased Implementation Plan that allows flexibility to respond to changing travel patterns, funding and innovation.

Together, this approach will help ensure transport contributes to a more connected, resilient and sustainable future for residents, businesses and visitors across Dorset and BCP.

Our LTP represents a significant shift in approach, moving from reactive transport planning to a long-term, vision-led strategy that:

• aligns transport with wider place-making and climate objectives
• prioritises sustainable and inclusive travel
• supports the delivery of growth while reducing environmental impacts

Our LTP provides the framework required to secure funding, prioritise investment and deliver a more resilient and future-ready transport system for Dorset and BCP.

Our LTP through its vision and objectives will provide a better local transport network for all – as the foundation for continuous progress over the next 15 years.

Shaping a future that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient for all our communities.

bcpcouncil.gov.uk/local-transport-plan

dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/local-transport-plan