In LTT magazine, LTT947, available for subscribers to access.
Our lead story brings clarification on the future of a significant programme of local transport investment, seemingly reflecting the limited funds the Department for Transport has available. It is a concern which is also likely to be manifest in the forthcoming Budget, which we preview, along with an expected White Paper setting out more detail on the Government’s devolution plans. We also report on interesting new data published on both road and rail activity, a potentially significant breakthrough on the viability of new tramway construction, and a new report from the London Assembly expressing concerns about the introduction of autonomous vehicles in the capital.
The party political conference season has continued, with the Greens announcing a comprehensive transport plan which we look at in detail, while the Conservatives have promised some institutional surgery if they are back in Government, including the ending of Section 106 planning agreements and abolishing other bodies.
We also round-up on significant developments in Welsh transport policy, active travel, air quality, and bus services, and have further news of the forthcoming Local Transport Summit.
Our expert contributor in this issue is Keith Buchan, who updates us on the independent review of appraisal he is leading, with a new article exploring the treatment of carbon impacts in scheme assessment and raising questions he hopes will prompt more input ahead of discussions on the subject at the Summit.
In his Editorial Opinion, Peter Stonham reflects on the openness of the major scheme appraisal and business case process in the light of further rejection by the Department for Transport of requests for publication of the business case for the Lower Thames Crossing. He is concerned that pledges of transparency are quickly eclipsed when they may mean awkward information is revealed, and suggests that ways should be found to put issues on the table for examination before firm commitments are made.
Access the latest issue here
To read the new LTT and all the valuable material in it, simply go to lttmagazine.co.uk/edition/. If you are a subscriber, you can log in to read the issue in full and/or print out a copy.
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.
The next issue will appear on 28 October 2026.
Want to subscribe? Got a question?
Have some news? Or want to contribute?
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.
Subscription benefit
The LTT digital platform includes a paywall — though for existing subscribers this will not affect access. All it requires is to simply log in with an email that is registered with LTT and click on ‘Forgotten?' to receive a new password to access your account.
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.
