The vision for the Local Transport Plan
Our overall long-term aim for transport is:
To improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in Bedfordshire by connecting communities and businesses, and improving access to services and amenities.
For this LTP and the next five years, our vision for how Bedfordshire’s transport will develop can be expressed by three themes:
Delivering existing commitments
During LTP1 a number of large national and local transport projects affecting Bedfordshire have been added to various programmes. This investment programme will continue into LTP2 and beyond, and our efforts must be concentrated on delivery of that programme to best meet our needs. The expected changes affecting Bedfordshire are set out in Chapter 5, mainly in the Major Projects section.
Consolidating our position
The impacts of changes taking place in Bedfordshire and the ongoing programme of investment need to be supported by improving the condition of existing networks and by putting in place better ways of managing how they are used. This will be the main task for the investment available through the LTP.
Preparing for Growth
As explained in the next chapter, Bedfordshire is facing a period of significant growth in new housing and employment. Our growth area status will lead to significant changes in transport towards the end of LTP2. However there are uncertainties in how new development in and around Bedfordshire will affect the need for transport facilities, and how best to manage this period of change. We will prepare for growth by assisting with the production of new local policy for development, then making sure it is delivered with appropriate investment in transport facilities.
