Local Transport Plan 4
Local Transport Plans are statutory documents. They establish and communicate the transport policies and priorities for the County, including objectives, policies, and plans for transport improvements. The Local Transport Plan also includes an Implementation Plan (how the Local Transport Plan will be delivered).
Local Transport Plans must be compliant with Department for Transport guidance.
Why are we reviewing our Local Transport Plan?
New guidance is due to be published, requiring all Local Transport Authorities to update their Local Transport Plans and demonstrate alignment and contribution to net zero carbon - tailpipe and embodied emissions (through construction).
The fourth East Sussex Local Transport Plan will replace the third Local Transport Plan and will run from 2023 - 2050.
This will set out how we plan to improve transport, deliver better access to jobs and services, including education, and create safer, healthier, more sustainable and inclusive communities.
The new Local Transport Plan will emphasise:
- Inclusive engagement and decision-making
- Balancing the needs of rural and urban residents
- Net zero carbon
- Health and wellbeing and social inclusion
- Opportunities for sustainable economic growth
- Safety
We undertook a public consultation between 31st October and 9th December 2022, to seek the views and ideas on the future of transport in East Sussex.
We wanted to explore the opportunities on how we could improve transport now and, in the future, but also to understand the current issues with travel in and around the County.
We asked people:
- what priorities they have for travel and transport
- the key issues they encounter, and
- the opportunities for improving travel across the county
The responses to the consultation are currently being analysed and will be published in the Spring 2023.
There will be more opportunities to engage as a further consultation on the draft Local Transport Plan is planned in autumn 2023.
If you require any additional help, or would like this information in a different format, please contact us
- via the following email address: LocalTransportPlan@eastsussex.gov.uk
- via the following telephone number: 0345 608 0190 (open 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 4.30pm on Friday) and ask to be put through to the Local Transport Plan Team.
What is a Local Transport Plan (LTP)?
An LTP works to establish and communicate the transport policies and priorities for the County, including objectives, policies, and plans for transport improvements. The LTP will be supported by an Implementation Plan (or Investment Plan).
Additional Information
- LTPs are statutory requirements.
- The Implementation Plan (or Investment Plan) will set out how (e.g. time and amount of money needed) schemes and priorities of the plan will be delivered .
- LTPs must be compliant with Department for Transport (DfT) guidance. New guidance for LTP4’s is expected in the new year, requiring all LTA’s to update their LTPs in this parliamentary period and demonstrate alignment and contribution to net zero carbon – tailpipe and embodied emissions.
Why is the East Sussex LTP being updated?
Since the development of the previous East Sussex LTP (3) there has been a major change in government policy especially regarding the need for: -
- net zero carbon dioxide emissions,
- continued recovery of the economy from the Covid -19 Pandemic and the need for sustainable economic growth through the levelling up policy agenda, and
- support for health, wellbeing, and social inclusion
As referred to in question 1 the Department for Transport (DfT) will be issuing new LTP guidance in the new year, requiring all LTA’s to update their LTPs in this current parliamentary period.
What are the different development stages of the LTP?
Stage 1 – Scoping Phase – This involves developing the evidence base for the plan, including consulting with stakeholders and the public, to identify the issues, opportunities, and priorities for transport in the county.
Stage 2 – Strategy development - Using the evidence base this stage will involve developing the strategy by defining the vision for transport in the county, setting the objectives to help measure future delivery, developing scenarios on how transport could look in the future and testing the options which could support the delivery of the scenarios. Once a draft strategy has been developed a further consultation with stakeholders and the public will be undertaken.
Stage 3 – Once the strategy has been approved by ESCC elected members, the LTP will provide the basis for the delivery of future transport in the county.
What assessments will be undertaken as part of the development of the strategy?
A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) will be prepared to help predict what impacts the strategies and schemes included in this Local Transport Plan may have on the environment. The SEA will also include a Habitats Regulation Assessment. This will assess whether or not the plan could negatively impact on a recognised protected European site. The SEA will also incorporate a Health Impact Assessment. This will be used to identify and maximise the health and wellbeing impacts of the plan.
An Equalities Impact Assessment is also being developed. This will ensure that the plan does not unlawfully discriminate against any protected characteristic. (Protected characteristics are - age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation.)
STAGE 1 SCOPING PHASE
What sources of evidence are being reviewed to inform the issues, opportunities and priorities for transport?
We have reviewed policy and strategy documents and data from a range of national, regional and local sources in relation to transport, the environment, health and the economy.
The feedback from the stage 1 stakeholder and public consultations will also form part of the evidence base.
Should you wish to review the draft evidence base documents, these can be provided on request.
What are the emerging themes from the draft evidence base?
The development of draft evidence has identified seven emerging themes. These are:
- Accessibility, equity and social inclusion;
- Safety, health and air quality;
- Community and sense of place;
- Climate change and its impacts;
- Our local environment and biodiversity;
- Sustainable economic growth
- Innovation through technology.
ENGAGEMENT & CONSULTATION
When will we be undertaking public consultation on the LTP4?
Stage 1 – a public consultation will be undertaken between 31 October – 9 December 2022.
You can respond to the consultation:
Online at the consultation hub
Post: If you require a paper copy the consultation this can be requested by:
Email: LocalTransportPlan@eastsussex.gov.uk
Phone: Or calling the ESCC switchboard on 0345 608 0190 (open 8am to 5pm, Monday
To Thursday, and 8am to 4.30pm on Friday)
Stage 2 – we expect to consult on a draft LTP in the summer 2023.
Which stakeholders are we engaging with?
We are engaging with many stakeholders including ESCC Councillors, District and Borough Councils, Town and Parish Councils, businesses, user groups, transport providers, education providers and residents. Where possible we have reached out directly to stakeholders asking them to forward the details of the consultation to local interest groups to encourage participation and provide feedback.
If you would like to be included on this list for the stage 2 consultation, please contact the LTP team on LocalTransportPlan@eastsussex.gov.uk
Other questions
How can I review the current Local Transport Plan (LTP3)?
By accessing the link in document library on the Online Engagement Platform or by
requesting a copy via the following email LocalTransportPlan@eastsussex.gov.uk
Will the LTP link with district and borough local plans?
The district and boroughs are currently reviewing their local plans. ESCC is working closely with them to support the development of a transport evidence base. This evidence base will be used at stage 2 of the development of the LTP, when potential transport measures are being considered for different geographic areas in the County.
Will the LTP include specific schemes?
As part of the development of the strategy (Stage 2), an implementation plan (or investment plan) will be developed. This will identify high level schemes according to specific geographic areas of the county.
When the strategy is published for public consultation next year you will be able to provide comments regarding these potential schemes.
How will the LTP Strategy be funded?
Funding for schemes identified in the LTP will need to come from a range of sources which either ESCC or our partners (District & Borough Councils, Strategic Transport Providers, Communities) can be secure. This may include national, regional and local government funding sources; ESCC Annual Local Transport Capital Programme allocation, Development contributions – including Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 etc. Other transport schemes, services and initiatives may also be funded and delivered by other partners such as National Highways, Network Rail, Train Operating Companies, Bus Operators and local organisations.