In LTT magazine, LTT931, available for subscribers to access.
There are both surprising and controversial developments to report. Two particularly significant ones are the continuing issue of the future prospects of the planned £2.5bn West Yorkshire Mass Rapid Transit project and the leadership of National Highways. In respect of the West Yorks MRT, a key issue has become the content of the unpublished review undertaken by NISTA, the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, and its real message and impact upon the plans. For National Highways, the questions being raised surround the departure of the Chief Executive, Nick Harris.
Other important developments include publication of the new guidance on floating bus stops by the DfT, which has not persuaded everyone in transport professional circles that it has fully addressed all the issues of concern. In a viewpoint analysis, Vincent Stops considers the situation.
The DfT has also published a batch of guidance on bus system delivery models and best practice for local authorities in the wake of the new Bus Services legislation on franchising and other options for the local management of public transport.
Our news pages also include continuing steps in the restructuring of the Railways, some major developments in transport policy for London, and the activities of the House of Commons Transport Committee. Plus interesting steps in local policies on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and School Transport.
Our expert contribution in this issue is the final part of LTT’s in-depth examination of the potential contribution of the Department for Transport’s new Connectivity Tool by Graham James, who looks at its initial outputs and their uses, and possible further development, as part of the transport planning toolkit.
In his Editorial Opinion, Peter Stonham reflects on the issues raised by the discussions over the West Yorkshire Mass Transit and in particular the unwillingness of the authorities involved to publish the report by NISTA that has triggered them. He believes there are important messages for decision-making and the exercise of the responsibilities of the various parties involved, beyond the particular case in question, in respect of transparency and democratic accountability for major public policy and expenditure decisions.
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The next issue will appear on 18 February 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.
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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.
