Southampton City Council outlines transport priorities to 2028

As part of the ambitious plans for transforming travel in Southampton contained within the city’s Local Transport Plan - the Connected Southampton 2040 Transport Strategy, the council has published its priorities for the next three years prior to consideration by the Cabinet next week

This Implementation Plan sets out the schemes and activities we are seeking to deliver between 2025 and 2028 with our partners, driving forward the future of transport in Southampton. It outlines the next steps in achieving the Local Transport Plan's (LTP) Big Ideas and the schemes that will be delivered to make a difference to people’s lives, how they can get around the city, and taking advantage of the opportunities being created by the Southampton Renaissance Vision.

The Big Ideas align with the goals of the Southampton City Plan 2035 to make Southampton a healthier, safer, greener and growing city, and to build a more equal Southampton, as well as the recommendations from the Southampton Citizens’ Climate Assembly. Transport will be front and centre in meeting these objectives.

The Big Ideas include a Mass Transit System, Park and Ride, a liveable City Centre, active travel zones, the cycle network, a zero-emission city and making better connections between Southampton, the surrounding area and country.

The proposals set out in the Implementation Plan build on recent work and flagship schemes, like Albion Place Bus Hub and Arundel Gardens which help to meet the aims of creating a greener city as well as a liveable city centre, while the new Weekend Park and Ride is a goal in itself to help make Southampton healthier, greener and support growth.

Over the next three years, the council will be continuing to work with partners, a future mayor, local people, businesses and communities to develop major plans for the Mass Transit System known as Southampton Metro, replacement and enhancement of Northam Rail Bridge, interchange at Southampton Central Station, and the Saints Mile, alongside targeted enhancements across the city to improve bus travel, road safety, support uptake of electric vehicles, as well as cycling and walking and wheeling to continue our progress towards the aims of the LTP.

Councillor Christie Lambert, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “This is an exciting time for transport in Southampton, and we are committed to working with our partners, local people, businesses and communities in making it easier and safer to get around Southampton by a range of travel choices.

“As part of our long-term transport strategy to 2040 that the council and its partners have been delivering on since adoption in 2019, we are excited to be laying out the next steps in achieving the vision to make Southampton a modern, liveable and sustainable place to live, work and visit by investing in better and more innovative transport.”