en.Wedoany.com Reported - Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) are reviewing a long-term strategy aimed at improving transport and travel in the region—the final draft of the Local Transport Plan 2026 to 2041.
The "All-Dorset Transport Plan" was jointly developed by the two councils following extensive public consultation in 2024, with formal consultation completed in 2025. The plan outlines how to work with communities and partners to make daily travel safer, healthier, and more reliable, while reducing congestion and carbon emissions. Councillor Jon Andrews, Dorset Council's Cabinet Member for Local Services, stated that the plan aims to make everyday journeys—whether on foot, by bus, or by car—safer and more convenient, and has identified practical improvements in towns, villages, and rural areas based on public feedback.
The Local Transport Plan examines how residents travel to work, school, shops, healthcare, and leisure facilities, setting priorities for improving walking, cycling, public transport, road safety, and accessibility in urban and rural communities, while supporting economic growth. The plan incorporates thousands of comments provided by residents, businesses, and community groups through interactive events in 2024 and formal consultation in 2025.
In terms of funding, the UK Department for Transport has allocated approximately £158.5 million in transport funding to Dorset Council for the financial years 2026/27 to 2029/30, including capital and revenue funding through the Integrated Transport Fund and Bus Service Fund. Of this, £33 million has been committed for the 2026/27 financial year to support highway maintenance, bus services, active travel, and other local transport priorities. The plan does not list specific projects but sets out long-term directions, with detailed delivery plans to be rolled out in phases as funding becomes available.
Councillor Andy Hadley, BCP Council's Cabinet Member for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, stated that collaboration with Dorset Council is central to implementing the strategy, which balances the needs of all road users, helps address congestion and climate impacts, and places people's safety at its core. He noted that the consultation process helped focus on the issues most important to communities, and its objectives and policies received support from the vast majority of participants.
Before formal approval, the plan must be submitted to the cabinets and full council meetings of both authorities. BCP Council's scrutiny committee will provide its views on July 15, followed by submission to its cabinet on July 22 and full council on July 28. Dorset Council's Place and Resources Committee will provide its views on June 4, followed by submission to its cabinet on June 23 and full council on July 16. Once approved, the Local Transport Plan will replace the current plan and help both councils collaborate with the government and partners to attract investment for transport improvements across the county.
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