In LTT magazine, LTT940, available for subscribers to access.
The Department for Transport has produced its new Appraisal, Modelling, and Evaluation Strategy (AMES) and published both the input provided by the panel it established to review the suitability of its TAG guidance, plus a number of other research reports on particular dimensions of the territory. We look in detail at this, with commentary from a number of experts.
Other news includes the latest episode in the West Yorkshire Mass Transit development saga, with the Prime Minister having met Mayor Tracy Brabin and made commitments to how the Government wants to support the regional Mayors in their transport plans. We also have details of the terms of reference of the Government’s new Mass Transit Taskforce, and two newly-announced proposals for bus rapid transit systems in Aberdeen and Belfast.
There is more follow up from the departure of a key DfT official responsible for rail development, and discussion of how rolling stock on the new HS2 line should be specified to provide the best overall inter-city service offer on the West Coast Main Line when HS2 is opened. Plus the latest on the legislation to establish Great British Railways.
Some interesting fallout also continues in local political situations in a number of areas in the wake of the fragmented outcomes of the highly significant recent English local elections, and Scottish and Welsh national ones.
Ahead of next week’s Modelling World event and in the context of publication of the new DfT AMES strategy, in his expert columnist contribution, Phil Goodwin presents the findings of his new in-depth study of the subject of induced traffic, and significant changes to practice in two key areas that he believes are required. Tom van Vuren, meanwhile, reflects on the assessment of value for money in appraisal, and how it differs from and should be more significant than, BCRs in decision-making — a topic which he feels is not yet receiving enough professional attention.
We sadly report on the sudden death of our regular expert commentator contributor, David Metz. He was highly regarded for forensic examination of the processes deployed in transport technical examination and policy-making, with his final such contribution only appearing in our last issue on the outcomes from the ‘smart motorway’ initiative. His unique insights will be much missed by LTT and indeed across the profession.
In his Editorial Opinion, Peter Stonham reflects on the new DfT documents related to transport analysis, planning and decision-making. He suggests that exploration of new issues and approaches is welcome, but that more fundamental revision of complex appraisal and approval processes is probably needed to move beyond technical perfection to practical decision-making in the public interest.
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The next issue will appear on 24 June 2026.
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A 30-year journey
Local Transport Today has been providing a unique service of news, analysis and comment about everything relating to transport at urban, conurbation, rural and regional levels in Britain for over 30 years.
Founded as a magazine in 1989, it quickly became required reading for planners and transport managers in local authorities, transport service providers, consultants and specialist suppliers and all those researching and studying the challenges of providing mobility and accessibility for people and businesses all around the UK.
Over the years, conferences and seminars, online information resources and other networking and knowledge exchange activities - including an annual Local Transport Summit - have been added to the mix.
During the Covid-19 lockdown this year, LTT introduced a regular fortnightly series of online conversations which became must-attend discussions for those tackling the impacts of the pandemic on local transport.
The most recent innovative step has been the switch to digital publication including the LTT digital platform, providing an enhanced reader experience for you in accessing LTT content. This brings together the opportunity to read the complete copy of the magazine digitally - and print it out if required - with the facility to explore its contents as individual items. This platform is designed to suit both desktop and handheld devices. There are also direct links to all featured websites and email addresses mentioned in the magazine.
…and desktop viewing facility too
Plus you can print it too!
For those who still want to read the magazine as a paper product, we have designed it in an A4 print-friendly format, ready for you to print at home or in the office. You can print a whole issue or select and print certain pages.
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For anyone who is not a subscriber, there is a facility to quickly purchase access for either an individual issue or a monthly or annual subscription to LTT. And you will see that we have brought in attractive new lower prices, as we have promised, to reflect the switch to digital delivery. It is now just £75 to subscribe to LTT for a year as an individual or £7.50 per month.
This full exceptional collection of material is not available anywhere else and continues the well-established LTT mission to be the only authoritative source for UK local transport professionals and practitioners!
Here’s what we cover for you
The UK Local Transport Eco-system at a Glance(!)
Transport issues and challenges are now a complex overlapping web of different localities, activities, modes, professional disciplines, technologies and financial and governance models. The LTT team uniquely understand this matrix and how all the different elements fit together.
