Decision details

The committee considered a report which provided an update on progress in developing a new Local Transport Plan (LTP) for Cheshire East, which would provide a policy framework for transport across the borough and guide investment in the local transport network.

As a statutory Local Transport Authority, the council was required to maintain an up-to-date Local Transport Plan (LTP).

The work completed so far following the report which was considered at the Highways and Transport Committee in January 2025 included a consultation on the LTP vision, aims and priorities, analysis of the feedback, and development of both the LTP strategy and Strategic Investment Framework.

The investment framework would outline and provide much better clarity on how projects would be prioritised. Officers assured members that the framework would not replace the annual programming process.

Approval was sought to undertake a second round of consultation on the draft LTP which would commence in mid-October until the beginning of December with a report being brought back to committee in 2026.

Following a question in respect of what impact devolution would have on the LTP process and what had happened in other local authorities which were combined authorities’ officers confirmed that for the transitional period there would be concurrent powers for LTPs from both the local authority and the combined authority. At the end of the transitional period the mayoral combined authority would become the Local Transport Authority when it would become a mayoral responsibility to deliver LTP’s.

Officers outlined the benefits of a mayoral combined authority which included:-

-       The opportunity to engage with the Department for Transport (DfT) on long-term transport strategy, ensuring the region was considered in future Comprehensive Spending Reviews (CSR). This included aligning local authority and mayoral priorities with national transport objectives.

-       The agreement would facilitate a formal partnership with National Highways, enabling regular dialogue on network issues and strategic priorities. This partnership would support agenda-setting and improve coordination on infrastructure delivery.

RESOLVED: (By Majority)

That the Highways and Transport Committee

1. Note the outcomes from the first round of public consultation on the Local Transport Plan (LTP) vision, aims and priorities (see Appendix 1 of the report).

2. Approve the proposed approach to a second round of public consultation on the LTP Strategy and Investment Framework, in line with the Consultation & Engagement Plan at Appendix 2 and Communications Plan at Appendix 3 of the report.

3. Delegate authority to the Director of Transport and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, to finalise the consultation material and undertake the public consultation