Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Local Transport Plan (LTP)?
An LTP sets out an authority's policies, objectives and targets for improving transport in its area. It covers all modes of transport (including walking, cycling, public transport, car based travel, freight and rail), the management and maintenance of its highway network, and the relationships between transport and wider policy issues such as the economy, community safety, the environment and social inclusion.
All local transport authorities have a legal duty to produce and maintain an LTP as outlined in the 
'Transport Act 2000' (later amended by the 'Local Transport Act 2008').
How will the LTP affect me?
Almost everyone, every day, uses some part of the transport network. The future management, maintenance and development of that network is likely to impact on every resident, business, stakeholder and visitor to the county. Whether you drive a car, ride a motorcycle, catch the bus or train, walk or cycle, the LTP will affect you.
How many LTP's have there been?
This is our third LTP.
The first LTP covered the period from 2001 to 2006 and comprised the whole county.
Two LTP's were produced for the period 2006 to 2011. One was a solely for Staffordshire. The second was produced in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council as a joint North Staffordshire LTP.
Copies of our first LTP are available on request whilst our second LTP| is still available electronically on this website.
Why is the third LTP important?
The third LTP is important for a number of reasons:
1. Almost everyone, every day, uses some part of the transport network and as such the LTP, which sets out how we plan to manage, maintain and develop that network, is crucial
2. A high quality LTP will be essential if we are to secure additional (non-LTP) funding
3. We have a responsibility to ensure that Staffordshire's communities are broadly in support of our LTP's policies and planned improvements.
4. It will have strong links with, and support, Staffordshire's and the County Council's strategic aims - in particular, its economic, social and environmental objectives.
How will this LTP be different to the last one?
The key differences between the current LTP and the previous two LTP's are:
-
It will cover a longer period.
-
It will cover the entire administrative area of Staffordshire County Council.
-
There is no legal requirement to produce a separate Bus Strategy.
-
The Government will not formally assess the LTP or impose mandatory targets or require submission of monitoring reports.
In addition, we have a legal duty to:
-
include mitigation and adaptation measures with regard to the LTP's impact on the environment and climate change
-
take account of the needs of older people and people with mobility difficulties.
-
include a number of supporting documents such as:
-
How will the LTP be structured?
The LTP is split into two documents:
Firstly a Strategy Plan, which sets out the objectives and policies for managing local transport and infrastructure. It covers all modes of transport (including walking, cycling, public transport, car based travel, rail and freight), the management and maintenance of the local highway network and the relationship between transport and wider strategic issues such as the economy, community safety, the environment and social inclusion.
The LTP's main objectives, which will contribute towards these wider strategic issues, are:
-
Supporting growth and regeneration.
-
Maintaining the highway network.
-
Making transport easier to use and places easier to get to.
Other LTP objectives include:
-
Improving safety and security.
-
Reducing road transport emissions and their effects on the highway network.
-
Improving health and quality of life.
-
Respecting the environment.
Secondly an Implementation Plan, which covers the period from April 2011 to March 2015, sets out the County Council's plans for transport delivery in the context of the resources expected to be available during this period; it identifies the areas of service provision that the Council will be unable to fund at previous levels given the current financial situation. The Implementation Plan also describes the arrangements in place for overseeing LTP delivery and ensuring that it remains on track to meet its objectives.
How can I have a say?
We welcome your views on how we plan and deliver transport and highway activities. If you have any queries or comments on the Local Transport Plan, please contact:
Nick Dawson
Connectivity Strategy Manager
Staffordshire County Council
Wedgwood Building
Block A Tipping Street
Stafford
ST16 2DH
Tel: (01785) 276629
Email: nick.dawson@staffordshire.gov.uk|
Alternatively, the following contacts are best placed to deal with any individual queries relating to specific topic areas.
Highway Maintenance
Paul Boss, Scheme Delivery Manager
Tel: (01785) 276779
Email: paul.boss@staffordshire.gov.uk|
Passenger Transport
Charles Soutar, Strategy Development Manager
Tel: (01785) 276735
Email: charles.soutar@staffordshire.gov.uk|
Road Safety
Nick Lloyd, Head of Road Safety and Sustainable Travel
Tel: (01785) 276610
Email: nick.lloyd@staffordshire.gov.uk|
Traffic Management
James Bailey, Commissioner for the Built County and Traffic Manager
Tel: 01785 276591
Email: james.bailey@staffordshire.gov.uk|
Environment
Ian Wykes, Commissioner for the Rural County
Tel: (01785) 277295
Email: ian.wykes@staffordshire.gov.uk|
-
-
-
-