The Local Transport Summit is a unique two-day residential event conducted under 'Chatham House Rules'. It provides a relaxed environment for senior figures in UK local transport to convene, exchange insights, and tackle the sector’s biggest challenges. Over the course of the Summit, attendees enjoy conference sessions, interactive roundtables, a guided walking tour, and a networking dinner, offering multiple opportunities to learn, collaborate, and build relationships. Participants include political leaders, decision-makers, transport authority strategists, system designers, and others with a stake in the future of local transport—such as providers, advisors, researchers, and activists. The event enjoys active support and engagement from the Department for Transport and other leading professional bodies.

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Making the most of the new generation of Strategic Authorities

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Through its Devolution White Paper, the Labour Government has pinned its hopes for ‘a decade of national renewal’ in England on a ‘devolution revolution’ – a new generation of Strategic Authorities with broad powers to deliver improved public services and an improved public realm, and foster prosperity in their areas.  The promise is for “a permanent shift in power away from Whitehall… to efficient and accountable local and regional government, with local champions who understand their local places, their identity and strengths, and how to harness them”.  Through its Spending Review, the Government has set out the money available to fund the new system’s first few years.

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This is undoubtedly a great opportunity for the local transport sector and the transport planning profession – but nobody should underestimate the challenges the next 10 years will present.  The Local Transport Summit is the profession's chance to step back and take a broader look at how we can honestly name and face up to those challenges, and gear up to solve them, so that we can support the new generation of local leaders to succeed.