Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 28, 2025

Purpose: To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Transport detailing the progress in delivering the Connected Southampton Transport Strategy 2040 Implementation Plan covering the period 2022 to 2025 and the proposed Implementation Plan for the period 2025 to 2028. The Implementation Plan has been developed in accordance with the policies set out in the Connected Southampton Transport Strategy 2040 (the LTP), which remain unchanged, and confirmed funding. The publication of a LTP is a statutory duty placed on Local Transport Authorities (LTA) and must be accompanied by a supporting plan setting out how it will deliver the strategy (the Implementation Plan).

Content: (i)  To consider and recommend that the proposed Connected Southampton Transport Strategy (LTP) Implementation Plan (2025-2028) is approved and that the funding profile is added to the MTFS with approval to spend. (ii)  To endorse the Local Walking Improvement Plan. (iii)  To endorse the final Transport for the South East Transport Strategy (2025) as a wider plan complementing the Connected Southampton Transport Strategy.

Reasons for the decision: Southampton City Council (SCC) as the Local Transport Authority (LTA) has a statutory duty to prepare and publish a long-term transport strategy (also known as a Local Transport Plan) and a supporting plan setting out how it will deliver its strategy (the Implementation Plan). The Council’s fourth Local Transport Plan (LTP) was adopted as Council policy in 2019 and a three-year Implementation Plan spanning 2022 to 2025 was approved in 2022. The funding profile, based on known and anticipated funding levels, and permission to spend on it needs to be approved.   A new Implementation Plan (Appendix 1) is required for the period 2025 to 2028 and enables the Council to set out its transport priorities for the coming three-year period, in accordance with the policies contained in the overarching LTP, and medium to longer-term aspirations.  The Implementation Plan provides the Council with an opportunity to acknowledge new strategies and guidance published by Central Government, including the Devolution White Paper and the future Hampshire & Solent Mayoral County Combined Authority (MCCA); as well as documents published by partners, such as the Southampton Renaissance Vision, City Plan, Solent Transport Strategy (prepared in partnership with Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton Councils), and Transport for the South East’s Transport Strategy Refresh.  This is a Key Decision as it affects all wards.   The Local Walking Improvement Plan (Appendix 2) is a supporting document to the LTP setting out the plans for improving and supporting walking, including wheeling , in Southampton.   TfSE Transport Strategy sets out the vision and missions for transport in the South East and used to lobby Central Government for future transport funding.  This complements and feeds into LTPs or transport strategies developed locally.   The Implementation Plan and TfSE Transport Strategy supports the delivery of the Corporate Plan and City Plan Missions to enable residents, people working and visiting Southampton to access jobs, education, health and leisure opportunities through better connected, safer and affordable transport. It contributes to the Missions through:   •  Healthier Southampton – investing in transport, such as walking or cycling schemes, to enable people to travel actively and independently can deliver health outcomes; •  Greener Southampton – decarbonisation of the transport network, such as roll out of electric vehicle charging points or supporting electric buses, and making active travel and public transport more attractive, is vital to reducing transport related CO² emissions – transport contributes 1/3rd of Southampton’s CO² emissions; •  Safer Southampton – by creating safer and attractive places where people want to spend time and feel safe through attractive surrounding, safer roads from lower speeds, better enforcement, safe crossing facilities and traffic signal upgrades; and •  A Growing Southampton – transport is an engine for unlocking the Renaissance growth by creating connections between places and opportunities helping people and goods to get around Southampton efficiently, such as major projects Northam Rail Bridge, Mass Rapid Transit and interchange at Southampton Central Station, and public realm schemes like Bargate Square. 

Alternative options considered: Do nothing - rejected due to SCC having a statutory duty to prepare and publish an Implementation Plan under the Transport Act 2000, and as amended by the Local Transport Act 2008. There was also a risk that not producing an Implementation Plan could have a detrimental impact on the Council’s ability to secure future funding for key infrastructure projects if they were not reflected in local policy documents.   SCC could not endorse the Transport Strategy but as a constituent member of TfSE the risk is that SCC would not align with wider strategic transport approach.