The Transport, Environment, Communities & Climate Change Select Committee of Buckinghamshire Council was scheduled to discuss progress on active travel infrastructure, review performance monitoring for key portfolios, and consider the Local Transport Plan 5. The committee was also set to review its upcoming work programme.

Active Travel - The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

The committee was scheduled to evaluate the progress of the Buckinghamshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)¹. This plan, adopted in February 2025, outlines a high-level future network for cycling, walking, and wheeling across the county. The report detailed how the LCWIP was developed, its policy context, and its role in guiding the creation and delivery of active travel infrastructure. It also highlighted the funding context, noting that Buckinghamshire Council had been awarded a Level 2 'capability rating' by Active Travel England, securing an allocation of £9,119,124 in multi-year funding up to 2029/30. Examples of delivered and developing schemes, such as improvements at Keep Hill Wood in High Wycombe and the Winslow Station crossing point, were also to be presented.

Performance Monitoring Q3 2025 to 2026

The committee was scheduled to review the progress made on key performance indicators across several portfolios.

Transport Portfolio

Performance data was to be presented for various transport-related indicators. This included the number of publicly accessible electric-vehicle charging units, which was below target at 406 against a target of 461. The percentage of gullies cleaned against the cyclical programme was also below target at 72%, with reasons cited including obstructed gullies. Positive performance was noted for HS2 highways and planning approvals, with 98% and 100% responded to within time limits respectively. The percentage of Category 1 defects repaired within five working days was 98%, and the completion of highways capital schemes against the agreed programme was at 96%. The average daily cycling count per active cycle counter was 106.9, exceeding its target. Indicators for the percentage of streetlights in light, public satisfaction with road surfaces, and public satisfaction with the rights of way network were to be reported annually. The percentage of eligible mainstream students with transport in place was at 98%, exceeding its target, while the percentage for eligible special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) students was 85%, below its target.

Communities Portfolio

Performance in the Communities portfolio was to be reviewed, including the average spend per person supported by the Household Support Fund, which was £775, exceeding its banded target. The number of new Domestic Abuse Champions recruited and trained was 39, below the target of 63, with training sessions scheduled for the next quarter. The percentage of invalid Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) was 2%, below the target of 3%.

Environment, Climate Change & Waste Portfolio

The committee was to examine performance in this portfolio, with the household waste recycling rate at 48.2%, below the target of 50.9%. Residual household waste per household was 511kg, slightly above the target of 510kg. The 'Energy Doctor' scheme had achieved significant carbon dioxide savings, with 79.4 tonnes saved against a target of 52.2 tonnes. The percentage of fly-tipping reports cleared within agreed timescales was 99.4%, exceeding the target of 90%. The percentage of missed bin collections was 0.06%, well below the target of 0.20%.

The Local Transport Plan 5

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Local Transport Plan 5 (LTP5), which sets out how Buckinghamshire Council aims to improve travel across the county over the next 20 years. A public consultation on LTP5 was ongoing, and the committee had the opportunity to discuss a potential response to this consultation. If the committee decided to respond, responsibility for finalising and submitting the response could be delegated.

East West Rail

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the East West Rail (EWR) project. This included information on the preferred site for the Train Maintenance Depot (TMD) west of Bletchley and north of Newton Longville, proposed passing loops west of Bletchley, and plans to extend platforms at Winslow Station. The presentation was expected to cover the wider context of EWR, including increased demand due to proposals for a Universal Studios resort near Bedford, and the need for additional capacity on services and at stations. The selection process for the TMD site, which involved appraising 35 potential locations, was to be detailed. The removal of a proposed westbound passing loop at Middle Claydon was also to be discussed.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to consider its upcoming work programme.