Introducing the Shropshire Local Transport Plan

What is a local transport plan?

A local transport plan sets out how an area’s transport will be managed and improved over the long term. It guides priorities, policies and investment so people and goods can travel safely, securely and affordably. The Transport Act 2000 requires every local transport authority in England to prepare one. Statutory guidance published by the Department for Transport on 2 April 2026 explains how authorities outside London must prepare and update their plans.

Shropshire’s Local Transport Plan is the council’s transport and highways strategy for 2027 to 2037. Its vision, objectives and priorities will guide future decisions and investment across the county. The plan covers roads and highway maintenance, walking, wheeling and cycling, public transport and freight. It also covers road safety, accessibility, inclusion and the environment. It considers how and why people travel, and transport and non-transport solutions such as better digital access, online services and planning access to new homes and jobs.

The plan isn't a list of individual projects or schemes. Instead, it sets the overall direction and priorities that help inform future decisions and investment.

Why is Shropshire Council producing an updated local transport plan?

As the local transport authority, Shropshire Council must prepare and maintain a local transport plan. The updated plan follows the statutory requirements and approach in the Department for Transport’s 2026 guidance.

The plan is also being updated because Shropshire is changing. The county’s population is growing and ageing, and people are working, travelling and accessing services in different ways. The updated plan will help to make sure that transport continues to support communities, businesses and visitors now and in the future.

How has the plan been prepared?

The draft Shropshire Local Transport Plan is based on extensive evidence and feedback from stakeholders, local communities and businesses. This feedback has helped shape the draft so far. We now want to hear a wider range of views and give everyone the opportunity to comment before the plan is finalised.

The plan also needs to support the national transport outcomes set by the Department for Transport. These outcomes help to guide how local transport funding is used, and to make sure the plan contributes to wider priorities such as safer journeys, better access to services, lower emissions and stronger local economies. More information is available on the Gov.UK website.

Will it affect my local area?

Yes. The plan has been developed with Shropshire’s places in mind, including principal towns and settlements, rural villages and more isolated communities. It provides a strategic view of how transport can be improved across the whole county, whether people are travelling by road, rail or using paths to get from A to B.

The plan covers the Shropshire unitary authority area administered by Shropshire Council. Telford and Wrekin is covered by a separate plan developed by Telford and Wrekin Council.

Earlier engagement

How is this consultation different from earlier engagement?

In earlier workshops, people shared their transport experiences, challenges, priorities and opportunities. Their feedback helped shape the vision, objectives and priorities in the draft plan.

This consultation gives everyone the opportunity to review the draft plan and tell us whether it sets the right direction before it's finalised.

What did people say during the earlier engagement and how has this influenced the updated plan?

During earlier engagement, we heard from stakeholders across many sectors through online workshops, briefings, written feedback and school workshops. They told us which transport issues and opportunities mattered most and suggested other organisations to involve.

Participants shared views across all the action areas. Road safety, active travel, public transport, rural accessibility and inclusive accessibility were raised most frequently and strongly.

This feedback helped us to update the draft plan.

The consultation

When is the consultation on the updated plan taking place?

The consultation opens on Monday 5 October 2026 and will run for six weeks, closing at 23:59 on Monday 16 November 2026.

During this period, we're asking people to review the plan and share their feedback. The easiest way to do this is via the online questionnaire. 

Why is Shropshire Council consulting on the plan?

We want to hear your views so that the plan focuses on the issues that matter most to people and meets the needs of communities across the county.

All feedback will be carefully reviewed alongside other evidence. Your comments will help shape the final plan, which is expected to be adopted in spring 2027.

What is the consultation asking participants?

This consultation asks for views on the draft plan, including its vision, objectives and proposed transport action areas for Shropshire over the next ten years.

What can this consultation influence?

The plan is still in draft and has not yet been finalised. Feedback from this consultation will be carefully reviewed and will help inform the final version, including the overall direction for future transport improvements and investment priorities.

The consultation won't decide whether individual schemes are funded or delivered. Specific schemes will still need further development, assessment, funding and the necessary approvals before they can go ahead.

Why are you asking for feedback now?

The plan is still in draft, so people who live, work in or visit Shropshire can tell us whether its vision, objectives and action areas reflect local needs and priorities before it's finalised. We want to make sure that the plan responds to local needs and delivers positive outcomes for our communities.

How can I participate?

All supporting information and a link to the questionnaire can be found on our Get Involved webpage.

Is it possible to suggest a specific road, junction or transport improvement?

Yes. Residents are welcome to provide comments and local insights as part of their consultation response.

However, the plan is a strategic document and doesn't set out each individual scheme that will be delivered. Feedback will help inform future planning and broad investment decisions.

Do I need to read the full Shropshire Local Transport Plan to participate in the consultation?

No. You can choose the level of detail that suits you. However, we encourage people to read the summary document or review the consultation webpage (including a summary video) before completing the questionnaire. These provide an overview of the draft plan and what we're proposing, to help inform your responses.

You can also visit the webpage to read the full draft plan and get a more detailed understanding of the document.

Will the feedback provided make a difference?

Yes. All consultation responses will be reviewed alongside other evidence before the plan is finalised and considered for adoption in early 2027. Feedback received during the consultation will help to inform the final version of the plan. The feedback we've received so far has helped to shape our priorities and make our proposed actions clearer.

Has the council already decided what it's going to do?

No. The draft plan has been developed using evidence and previous engagement, but the purpose of the consultation is to gather feedback and consider how it can be reflected in the plan before it's finalised.

What happens after the consultation closes?

After the consultation closes on 16 November 2026 we'll carefully review and analyse all feedback received. This will be used to help inform any final changes to the updated plan due to be considered for adoption in spring 2027.

Content

What is the vision set out in the plan?

The vision is:

“By 2037, an inclusive, safe and sustainable transport system will connect a healthy, productive and resilient Shropshire, supporting thriving urban and rural communities while protecting Shropshire’s unique natural, built and historic environment.”

What are the plan's objectives?

The plan has five objectives. Together, they set out what we want transport to help deliver for people, communities, businesses and the environment between 2027 and 2037:

  • Health and wellbeing: making journeys safer, supporting active lifestyles and reducing harmful transport emissions
  • Connecting to opportunities: helping people and organisations reach the services, amenities and opportunities they need
  • Decarbonisation: reducing the need to travel, supporting more sustainable travel choices and adopting low carbon technologies
  • Environmental protection: protecting Shropshire’s unique natural, built and historic environment
  • Good economic growth: supporting growth in the right places by linking transport and land use planning, and providing a reliable, resilient transport network

What types of transport does the plan cover?

The plan covers the whole transport network, including roads, bridges, paths, cycle routes, bus stops and stations, as well as all types of transport. This includes walking, wheeling and cycling, buses, coaches, trains, taxis and private hire vehicles, cars and vans, freight and deliveries.

It also looks at how better digital services could help some people access services without always needing to travel, and how clear travel information can help people and businesses plan journeys more easily.

Will the plan improve public transport?

Public transport is one of our action areas, and we recognise how important it is in helping people travel around Shropshire and stay connected. We know there's an opportunity to improve public transport across the county, and the draft plan sets out proposals for a more convenient, reliable and joined-up network. These include improving bus services and stops, strengthening connections to train stations, and supporting community transport providers that play a vital role in helping people reach the services they need.

How does the plan relate to new housing and development?

The plan recognises that transport and planning need to work together as Shropshire grows. It will help guide how access to new homes, jobs and services are planned so that they're supported by the right transport infrastructure and connections. This should make it easier for people to reach everyday destinations and reduce the need to rely on a car.

How does the plan respond to climate change and the environment?

The plan includes actions to reduce carbon emissions, support cleaner vehicles and fuels, improve air quality and make the transport network more resilient to climate change.

This includes making sustainable travel choices easier, and expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

How does the plan support rural communities?

Shropshire is a largely rural county with a unique natural environment, and we want to make it easier for people living in rural communities to reach the everyday services they need.

The draft plan includes proposals to improve access in rural areas, including a rural access strategy to identify barriers to reaching jobs, services and opportunities. It also proposes continued support for community transport, further development of Connect on Demand flexible transport services where opportunities arise, and better digital access so people can use some services without always needing to travel.

What does the plan say about walking, wheeling and cycling?

The plan aims to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier choices for everyday journeys. This includes improving walking and cycling routes, creating safer and more attractive streets, and working with developers so that new homes and employment sites have safe, accessible links to shops, services and other local destinations.

How does the plan support accessible and inclusive travel?

The draft plan sets out actions to make transport easier for everyone to use. This includes working with local people, disability groups and transport providers to understand barriers and improve accessibility. The plan also proposes an inclusive service plan for taxis and private hire vehicles, as well as health and rural proofing checks so that decisions consider the needs of different communities.

Funding

Is everything in the plan funded?

The plan sets our strategic aspirations for the next ten years, so it doesn't confirm funding for every action or scheme. The first five-year implementation plan identifies possible funding sources, but individual schemes will still need to be developed, prioritised and funded before they can be delivered.

Some previous central government funding streams have been combined into multi-year settlements through the Integrated Transport Fund and Bus Service Fund. This gives local transport authorities more flexibility to fund projects and programmes that support central government's Local Transport Outcomes Framework and the Shropshire Local Transport Plan’s vision and objectives. Having a local transport plan means that we'll be in a strong position to explore other sources of funding should be they become available. 

Does the council have the resources to deliver the plan?

The actions in the plan have been developed with Shropshire Council officers and partners to make sure that they're realistic and can be taken forward over time. The plan recognises that delivery will depend on available funding, resources, further scheme development and partnership working.

The first five-year implementation plan is guided by six delivery principles:

  • People first
  • Making the best use of available funding
  • Understanding local needs
  • Getting the basics right
  • Planning for the future
  • Working for all of Shropshire

Our plan also recognises the need to work with a range of partners to lead and deliver actions across the county.

Adoption

When wil the final plan be adopted?

After this consultation closes we'll analyse all feedback received and carefully review this alongside other evidence. The comments we receive on the draft plan will help to shape the final document, which is expected to be adopted in spring 2027.

Who will decide whether it's adopted?

The final plan will be considered through Shropshire Council’s formal decision-making process before being adopted.

What do the implementation plans say?

An initial implementation plan has been developed for the first five years of the Shropshire Local Transport Plan, from 2027 to 2032. It sets out the actions that the council and its partners intend to take during this period, in line with the plan’s vision and objectives. It focuses on actions that are quicker and easier to put in place, while also allowing time for more detailed work to identify what needs to be delivered, who needs to be involved and where more specific action is needed.

After the first five-year period, we'll review progress against our objectives and develop the second implementation plan, covering 2032 to 2037. This gives us flexibility in the actions we deliver, while still working towards the overall vision.

Delivery and monitoring

When will transport improvements happen?

Transport improvements are ongoing across the county. The Shropshire Local Transport Plan brings together work already in progress and sets out actions for the first five years, from 2027 to 2032. It also identifies medium- and long-term priorities that may be developed later in the plan period, depending on funding, evidence and changing local needs.

How will progress be monitored?

A monitoring and evaluation plan has been developed to track progress against the Shropshire Local Transport Plan’s objectives, and the local transport outcomes set by the Department for Transport. Progress will be monitored and reviewed by a dedicated steering group throughout the plan period.

Following the first implementation period (2027-2032), we'll use the monitoring data to carry out a review of progress in achieving our vision and objectives, and we'll develop the next implementation plan to ensure that we stay on track.