The Environment Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 6 May 2026 to discuss updates on the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership and the development of the Local Transport Plan. The committee will also receive an update on the Traffic Regulation Order Task Group recommendations and the Executive Director's report for Economy, Environment & Infrastructure.

Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership

An update is scheduled to be received regarding the work of the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership. This partnership aims to improve road safety across the county.

Local Transport Plan

The committee is set to receive an update on the development of Gloucestershire's Local Transport Plan (LTP). The current LTP, adopted in 2021, outlines strategic transport ambitions until 2041. The review is being undertaken to align with the national transport strategy, 'Better Connected: A strategy for integrated transport', and to reflect emerging spatial development strategies. The draft vision for the updated LTP is A better-connected Gloucestershire where transport supports everyone's needs, our environment flourishes and growth is sustainable, with draft delivery priorities focusing on a well-connected and prosperous Gloucestershire, a green and healthy Gloucestershire, and a Gloucestershire that supports local communities. An Issues and Opportunities Engagement is planned from mid-May for six weeks, which will include a member drop-in session, an online questionnaire, and public drop-in sessions in districts and online, as well as stakeholder engagement. The overall programme aims for the completion and adoption of the LTP in early 2027.

The draft issues and opportunities document highlights several key areas. In the Central Severn Vale (CSV) area, network pressure from car use and constrained highway capacity are identified as issues, while opportunities lie in improving journey time reliability through enhanced cycle networks and bus routes, and supporting housing growth with sustainable transport links. Public transport in the CSV is noted as having high frequency routes but low usage for commuting, with reliability issues due to congestion. Poor air quality, with transport contributing significantly to emissions, is also a concern.

In the Forest of Dean, issues include poor public transport provision, with limited high-frequency bus services and only one railway station in the area. Opportunities include improving interchange hubs, such as at Lydney railway station, and enhancing rail services. Barriers to walking and cycling are noted due to the rural character and topography, with opportunities to improve local cycling and walking networks. The impact of HGVs on rural routes is also a concern.

The North Cotswold area faces network pinch points, such as at Unicorn Junction, and limited cycle connectivity. Opportunities include improving public transport, particularly rail access and service frequency, and enhancing digital connectivity.

The South Cotswold area also experiences limited cycle networks and poor public transport provision, with opportunities to improve bus infrastructure around Cirencester and expand community transport services. Anticipated growth in Oxfordshire and improvements to the A417 Missing Link may increase east-west travel demand.

The Stroud area faces congestion at M5 motorway junctions and limited sustainable travel options. Opportunities include maximising the potential of railway stations and improving highway infrastructure.

Tewkesbury faces severance issues due to the M5/A46 corridor, impacting walking and cycling, and poor rail service frequency. Infrastructure improvement priorities include upgrading critical points along the A46 corridor and creating multi-modal hubs.

Traffic Regulation Order Task Group Recommendations

A progress update is scheduled to be received for the recommendations made by the Traffic Regulation Order Task Group.

Executive Director's Report: Economy, Environment & Infrastructure

The committee will receive the Executive Director's report for Economy, Environment & Infrastructure. This report is to be taken as read, with members allocated 30 minutes for questions. The report is expected to cover various aspects of the department's work. Discussions from previous meetings indicate that climate-mitigation risks are a significant concern, with work being embedded corporately. Contractors are required to declare CO₂ emissions, and focus is on increasing contract scale, considering exemptions, and determining emissions monitoring levels. The effectiveness of average speed cameras on the A436, the timescale for the Minerals and Waste Plan, and the impact of quarrying are also topics that have been raised in relation to this report. Concerns about road surface defects and maintenance contracts have also been discussed, with recent high rainfall contributing to increased issues. Safety concerns for School Crossing Patrol Officers have also been highlighted.

Work Plan

The committee will review its work plan and suggest items for consideration at future meetings. This includes considering the reasons for and expected benefit of scrutiny involvement, and categorising items as 'Overview', 'Scrutiny', or 'Information'. Future meeting themes are also listed, including Highways and transport, Waste, and Land use/management and strategy.