Decision details

To seek Lead Member approval, following consultation with local members, on the local transport schemes and associated expenditure included in the capital programme for design and/or delivery in 2026/27 and the allocation of the bus service improvement plan capital grant for the period up to 2029/30.

55.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISIONS

55.2        The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) agree the draft programme of transport improvements for 2026/27 set out in Appendix 2 of the report;

(2) agree the allocation of County Council funding, development contributions, active travel funding, Bus Grant, Local Growth Fund and Town Deal monies towards specific improvements identified in the 2026/27 programme set out in Appendix 2 of the report;

(3) note that the 2026/27 programme of transport improvements will be included in the initial Sussex and Brighton Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) Local Transport Delivery Plan submitted to Government in March 2026, and the more detailed delivery plan for the period up to 2029/30 to be submitted in September 2026; and

(4) agree the proposed allocation of the bus grant capital allocation up to 2029/30 as set out in Tables 1 and 2 in section 2 of the report which will also feed into the Sussex and Brighton MCCA Local Transport Delivery Plan.

REASONS

55.3     The draft programme of local transport improvements for 2026/27 represents a balanced programme of improvements which supports the key objectives of both the previous Local Transport Plan (LTP3), and the recently adopted Plan (LTP4) and its principles of ‘planning for people and places’.

55.4     Whilst there are various schemes in the 2026/27 programme of transport improvements that support the delivery of LTP4 and its principles of ‘planning for people and places’, there are several legacy schemes which are reflective of the previous LTP3 and its priorities which will need to continue through to construction. The introduction of a revised scheme request assessment approved by the Lead Member for Transport and Environment in September 2025 will mean new schemes included in the programme of transport improvements will closely align with delivering the objectives of LTP4.

55.5     The draft programme for the allocation of County Council funding, development contributions, active travel funding, Bus Grant, Local Growth Fund and Town Deal monies towards specific improvements identified in the 2026/27 programme was considered and endorsed by the cross-party Member Panel on 25 February 2026.

55.6     The 2026/27 programme will feed into the initial Sussex and Brighton Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) Local Transport Delivery Plan that will be submitted to Government on 20 March 2026, as well as the final detailed delivery plan for 2026/27 to 2029/30 submitted to Government in September 2026.