A blueprint for the future of the public transport network, supported by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, is in the spotlight today. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is considering the new plan, designed to help drive future improvements to the city region transport network until 2040, at its meeting this afternoon.
Proposals include the city region’s six local authority areas for the first time. With a clear vision, goals and set of policies, the proposed plan provides a blueprint for making the transport network safer, more integrated, more attractive, sustainable and accessible to all – which are the key pillars of Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram’s vision for a London-style transport system.
The plan’s role is to guide future investments designed to continue to support communities and improve transport for everyone while aligning to wider combined authority ambitions, for example, achieving net zero emissions by 2035.
Cllr Steve Foulkes, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee, remarked, “The Local Transport Plan is about making sure we grow our public transport system, supported by franchised bus services and a greatly enhanced rail network, that helps people get to school, work, training and travel for leisure and pleasure. Improving the health and quality of life for people and communities as well as ensuring the network and assets are well maintained are key to its success.”
He added, “We’re building from a strong position, fortified by significant achievements including our new state of the art trains, a new station at Headbolt Lane and active travel routes, together with franchised bus services and a new Mersey Ferry on the horizon. Delivering the priorities in this plan would enable us to build a fully integrated London-style transport system, along with better connections to and from the region.”
The Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) outlines five primary goals: support good, clean job growth; achieve net zero carbon and an improved environment; improve health and quality of life; ensure well-maintained and robust transport infrastructure; and plan and respond to uncertainty and change with innovation.
An initial public consultation on the vision and goals took place in 2022, which welcomed the aims of the draft plan. Subject to combined authority approval, the latest plans will be shared for open consultation from early October 2024. Further information on the public consultation, including the launch date, will be available in the coming weeks.
In summary, the proposed blueprint aims to create a safer, more integrated, and sustainable transport network for the Liverpool City Region, guiding future investments and aligning with broader environmental and quality of life goals.