In LTT magazine, LTT913, available for subscribers to access.

Our main front page story brings some significant news relating to the future of local transport in respect of the financial framework for supporting greater devolved responsibility for it. Once again, however, this development has been delivered by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, rather than the Department for Transport under the Government’s wider devolution plans majoring on the mayoral combined authorities. This first step involves the Greater Manchester and the West Midlands MCAs, but is set to provide the template for others to follow.

Meanwhile, we report on the thoughts of Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, who has given what she called her first major speech setting out her personal approach to transport issues and vision. There was little in this about policies or processes of local transport delivery, with Alexander focusing on broader issues of the economic and social role of transport, the current rail and bus legislative changes, and a firm statement that there is no ‘war on the motorist’. Alexander said that she believes that ‘boring reliability’ is a key objective for the transport system.

Other policy related developments we cover include the modified plans for the switch to electric vehicles, further announcements about airport expansion, a continuing lack of progress on pavement parking regulation, plus Welsh and Scottish bus franchising plans. There are also items on parliamentary debate about ‘floating’ bus stops, low carbon urban goods delivery, and new ideas on linking housing and rail station developments.

We look at some of the potential outcomes from the impending local council and mayoral elections.

Our major contributing columnist in this issue is John Dales, who examines the detailed local implications for the switch to Electric Vehicles. He believes the practicalities of energy supply, distribution and charging, are not sufficiently recognised, with many unwelcome impacts for the streetscape and public realm appearing to have been largely overlooked, if not ignored.

We continue with our Local Transport Today Deep Thinking initiative, with a contribution from Colin Black, who reflects with concern how the people ultimately affected by transport decisions locally are often insufficiently understood, and their values and personal circumstances not treated with enough respect. He warns that this risks exacerbating social segregation and resentment about how policy is decided and delivered.

Related to this area of thoughtful reflection on future transport planning, we are pleased to give further details of our summer event providing an opportunity for new thinking on transport matters — Future 2050. This will be a new space for consideration of the landscape for transport amid the social and technological changes over the next 25 years. Taking place on the 10th June in the relaxed environment of Regent’s College in London, and mixing the presentation of prospective scenarios with interactive discussion and networking.

Coupled with a summer style outdoor evening ‘after party’ for socialising and networking, we expect this event to be stimulating, enjoyable, memorable and professionally rewarding. We believe this event will provide a special opportunity for those who want to think beyond immediate horizons. We look forward to seeing many LTT readers there with both booking priority and a cost privilege to encourage you as a subscriber to attend. Full details are included in LTT this time.