The Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Councillor George Finch, approved the submission of the Draft Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP) to the Department for Transport. This decision was made under urgency procedures due to a tight deadline for accessing consolidated transport funding.

Approval of the Draft Transport Delivery Plan

Councillor George Finch, Leader of the Council, approved the submission of the Warwickshire County Council Draft Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP) to the Department for Transport. This plan is a mandatory requirement for accessing the council's multi-year settlement from the government's new consolidated local transport funding system, which includes the Integrated Transport Fund (ITF) and Bus Services Fund (BSF). The decision also authorises the Executive Director for Communities, in consultation with Councillor Jennifer Warren, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, to finalise and submit the Final Local Transport Delivery Plan by 18 September 2026.

The urgency of this decision was driven by the Department for Transport's late issuance of guidance for the LTDP at the end of December 2025, which provided a compressed timescale for development. The plan outlines how consolidated local transport funding, estimated at approximately £214.5 million capital and £19.9 million revenue for 2026/27–2029/30, will be utilised across various transport modes, including highways maintenance, public transport, active travel, electric vehicle infrastructure, and road safety. Failure to submit the draft plan by the 20 March 2026 deadline would jeopardise the council's access to this crucial funding. The LTDP will incorporate existing programmes and priorities, aligning with the council's Local Transport Plan 4. The Department for Transport will monitor delivery through a Local Transport Outcomes Framework, requiring authorities to demonstrate progress on national indicators related to transport connectivity, carbon emissions, bus performance, road conditions, safety, EV infrastructure, and active travel. The report highlights that all activities can be funded within the consolidated transport funding settlement and existing staff resources, with no additional council financial commitments. Environmental implications are also considered, with the plan expected to contribute to improved air quality, increased active travel, safer roads, better public transport, and expanded EV charging infrastructure.