The Transport Act 2000 placed a statutory requirement on local authorities to produce Local Transport Plans (LTPs). While it is recognised that the Transport Act 2000 is specific to England only, the principles it covers in relation to LTPs are still relevant within Wales.

LTPs should set out a strategy to improve the quality of the transport environment for disabled people. Local transport authorities should use LTPs to set out their policies and plans for changes to the transport system over a five-year period. This should help them to develop integrated transport policies.

LTP guidance and disabled people

The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued guidance to local authorities regarding what it expects within LTPs. This guidance says:

‘Local authorities should address issues that affect disabled people and those with impaired mobility in the pedestrian environment and in and around public transport services and infrastructure, by working with operators and infrastructure owners.’

– DfT's Full guidance on Local Transport Plans

Amongst the criteria for assessing LTPs will be the effectiveness of consultation and involvement of stakeholders in local transport. This must include:

• companies delivering transport services
• other local businesses
• local public services
• local communities
• special interest groups

It is essential that access and disability groups are fully involved in the development of LTPs. The DfT guidance states that authorities should:

• ensure LTPs are available to disabled people, and that they are consulted
• ensure that LTPs are available in a range of formats to meet the needs of everyone wanting to access them
• make provision for disabled people wishing to enquire about or comment on an LTP

Further information is available from DfT's website.

Key advice for access groups: use this guidance to your advantage. If you think that your local authority should be involving you in any particular decision-making process, make it clear that the LTP guidance calls for the involvement of local communities, particularly where this will be beneficial for disabled people.