In April we opened up public engagement to get people involved in the development of a vital new document, the Local Transport Plan that will shape the future of transport in our area. Hundreds of people have gone online to complete the survey, to put your thoughts on a map, or to tell us a quick thought about transport: if you aren’t one of them we want to hear from you so please check out the website and take part by Sunday 30 June.

We’re also keen to know what businesses think and have a dedicated business survey for you to let us know if transport works for you. Can your customers get to you easily? Does local transport make it difficult for you to recruit and retain staff? What would you change about transport in and around Central Bedfordshire? So let us know.  

Anyone without internet access can get involved, just call us on 0300 300 8300 to request a paper copy of the questionnaire. 

The Local Transport Plan will guide future policies and priorities on all forms of transport in Central Bedfordshire, including roads, electric vehicles, public rights of way, cycleways, and public transport. 

As well as listening to what you say, the new Local Transport Plan will align with other existing policies, the proposed growth set out in the Local Plan for Central Bedfordshire and will take into account wider developments such as the rise in electric vehicle ownership, more people working from home, and the expected introduction of autonomous vehicles.  

Once the engagement period is over, we will review and consider your views and a new draft Local Transport Plan will be prepared. A formal consultation is expected to begin summer 2025.  What we find out may also help to inform the new Local Plan.

Cllr Mary Walsh, Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Member for Planning and Waste, said: “This is an important stage for people, businesses and other organisations to get involved and we really encourage people to have their say. What goes into our draft Local Transport Plan will depend on the feedback we receive. Some things we can be fairly sure about – for example, it’s likely to underline our commitment to reducing pollution and addressing the impacts of climate change – but how we go about it must take into account what our residents and businesses tell us will work for them, what we can afford to spend, and national legislation, policy and guidance. 

“A Local Transport Plan must address current and future challenges, and investment should be prioritised against the most up-to-date objectives. A robust plan also increases the likelihood of success when bidding for central government funding for investment.”