Decision details
Joint response on behalf of Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucester City Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council to the Draft Local Transport Plan
Decision Maker: Cabinet Member Planning and Building Control
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decision:
To submit a consultation response to
Gloucestershire County Council on the draft update to the
Gloucestershire Local Transport Plan (LTP).
The LTP is at an early stage of review and feedback provided will
be reviewed alongside technical evidence and stakeholder input to
help develop the updated LTP. There will be a formal public
consultation on the draft Plan expected in late 2026 before it is
finalised and adopted in 2027.
This response has been prepared collaboratively with Gloucester
City Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council through the Strategic
and Local Plan (SLP) partnership. It represents a coordinated,
strategic position reflecting cross-boundary issues, shared growth
ambitions, and aligned transport priorities across the Joint Core
Strategy / emerging SLP area.
A copy of the consultation response is attached to this
decision.
Reasons for the decision:
The LTP is a strategic document that that will
shape transport provision, infrastructure investment, and movement
patterns across Gloucestershire for at least the next 15 years. It
will directly influence the delivery of planned growth,
connectivity, and the functioning of local communities.
Submitting a joint response is important for the following
reasons:
Alignment with Strategic Planning: The emerging SLP will identify
planned growth across Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury.
Ensuring the LTP aligns with this spatial strategy is fundamental
to delivering sustainable and coordinated development.
Supporting Sustainable Growth: Transport infrastructure and policy
are central to enabling housing and employment growth. A
well-aligned LTP will support:
• Delivery of key development sites
• Improved access to jobs, services, and education
• Reduced congestion and improved network efficiency
Responding to Climate Change Commitments: Transport is a major
contributor to carbon emissions. The LTP provides an opportunity to
embed:
• Modal shift towards walking, cycling, and public
transport
• Reduced reliance on private vehicles
• Enhanced low-carbon and zero-emission transport
solutions
This aligns with the Council’s climate emergency declaration,
Corporate Plan and wider environmental objectives.
Economic Competitiveness and Place-Shaping: Effective and
sustainable transport networks are essential to attracting
investment, supporting local businesses, and maintaining
Cheltenham’s role as a key economic centre within the county
and wider region.
Addressing Local Needs and Inequalities: The LTP must reflect the
day-to-day transport needs of residents, including:
• Accessibility to essential services
• Connectivity for rural and urban communities
• Inclusive transport options for all user groups
Strengthening Partnership Working: A joint response demonstrates a
proactive and coordinated approach between the SLP authorities,
ensuring a stronger, unified voice in influencing county-level
strategy.
Alternative options considered:
Not respond to the consultation – this
was discounted given the role transport management alongside
planned and future transport interventions will have upon our area.
Transport is a key strand of the emerging SLP and important that we
ensure we are planning for the right outcomes.
Submit a response only on behalf of Cheltenham Borough – this
was discounted. A joint SLP responses ensures that transport our
priorities are articulated consistently and supported by a shared
evidence base and coordinated approach to growth and infrastructure
delivery.
Declarations: none
Contact: Tracey Birkinshaw, Director of Planning and Building Control Email: [email protected].
Publication date: 24/06/2026
Date of decision: 23/06/2026
Accompanying Documents: