Introduction
Our overarching strategy for transport is set out in our Local Transport Plan ‘Somerset’s Future Transport Plan’ (FTP).
Somerset’s Future Transport Plan sets out a long-term strategy for helping to get the best from transport. The plan explains how we will make the most of what we have now and prepares us for new opportunities in the long term. You can find more information about the Future Transport Plan and links to its supporting evidence on our Future Transport Plan page.
We often need to develop more detailed strategies, policies or plans for specific issues. This helps us to understand the issue in more detail, take a strategic approach and outline guidance to other stakeholders, and put plans into action.
Somerset’s transport strategies, policies and plans are overseen by the Transport Policy Team. For more information about what the Transport Policy Team does and projects still in development, please see our Transport Policy page.
The National Bus Strategy 2021: Bus Back Better
In March 2021, the government announced the new National Bus Strategy – ‘Bus Back Better’ with the overall aim of transforming local bus services and increasing bus patronage. Under this new strategy the expectation is that Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) will enter Enhanced Partnership (EP) Agreements with local bus operators across the LTA to develop and deliver improvements across local bus services and enhance the experience for passengers. Alternatively, where deemed appropriate LTAs can seek to pursue the ‘Franchising’ route but would be required to commit to an Enhanced Partnership in the meantime.
Somerset County Council Executive agreed at its Cabinet meeting on 21 June 2021 the proposal to proceed with the development of an Enhanced Partnership.
Statutory Notice of Intent to Prepare an Enhanced Partnership Plan and Schemes
The next stage was to create a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) in partnership with local bus operators for submission to the Department for Transport (DfT) by 31 October 2021.
Following stakeholder engagement and a public survey, which enabled us to identify the key themes and priorities for public transport provision, the BSIP was created which sets out proposals that include decarbonising transport, improving frequency and coverage across the network, lowering fares, improving ticketing options, making information easier to understand and more accessible and improving facilities across the network.
This is a high level, ambitious plan which seeks to bid for additional funding from government to achieve these proposals. Somerset County Council Executive agreed the BSIP at its Cabinet meeting on 20 October 2021. It is important to note that all the proposals set out within the Plan are subject to additional funding being allocated from government.
The full Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP)
Following successful submission of the Somerset Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to the Department for Transport (DfT), we are now starting the process to create an Enhanced Partnership (EP) which will include a Plan (The Plan) and Scheme (The Scheme) to provide a robust framework in which to deliver the BSIP in accordance with requirements set out by the DfT and in line with the Transport Act 2000 and any subsequent amendments.
The delivery of proposals set out in the BSIP are subject to the required funding being made available by the DfT through the BSIP. As such The Plan and The Scheme have been set out as a ‘shell agreement’ and will be varied to include more detail as any funding becomes clear.
You can find the full draft documentation for The Plan and The Scheme below:
Draft Plan and Scheme with DfT Guidance Notes
Draft Plan and Scheme without DfT Guidance Notes
Please note that there are two versions of the Plan. The first contains text shown in ‘red’ which relates to the guidance from the DfT and has been left in for information only, this text will not appear in the final version of the Plan and Scheme. The second version is the same Plan but with all the guidance notes removed.
Operator consultation has taken place, and all qualifying local bus service operators had the right to object to The Plan and/or The Scheme being proposed. The objection period ran from Monday 29 November 2021 until and including Tuesday 4 January 2022, during which time no formal objections were received.
As a result, we now move to the next stage – consultation with statutory stakeholders (as described in Sections 5.1 to 5.5 of Bus Services Act 2017 Enhanced Partnerships Guidance). The formal stakeholder engagement period will run from Monday 10 January 2022 until Tuesday 8 February 2022 (5pm).
Strategies, policies and plans
The most recent strategies, policies and plans are summarised below (in alphabetical order). You can find copies in Downloads.
You can contact us for general enquiries and copies of documents. General enquiries and electronic copies of documents are free. We will charge for printed copies of documents where they are available. Please contact us for more information.
Active Travel Strategy 2012
Note – We are currently updating our Active Travel Strategy, and will replace the documents below.
Somerset’s Active Travel Strategy has been written to inform the Future Transport Plan and brings together the individual modal strategies for cycling, walking, information and communication with a shared vision for Somerset residents to cycle and walk more often and more safely.
The aim for the strategy is to enable the population of Somerset to make active travel choices by making these options easier to access and more attractive to use.
Active Travel Strategy August 2012
Active Travel Strategy – Walking Strategy August 2012
Active Travel Strategy – Cycling Strategy August 2012
Active Travel Strategy – School Travel Strategy August 2012
Active Travel Strategy – Information and Communication Strategy August 2012
Bridgwater, Taunton and Wellington: Future Transport Strategy 2011-2026
The Bridgwater, Taunton and Wellington Future Transport Strategy acknowledges that good transport links to, in and around this area are fundamental to its economic and social vitality. The need to provide better transport options has been recognised for a number of years and has resulted in a long-term action plan which will address issues until 2026.
Bridgwater, Taunton and Wellington: Future Transport Strategy 2011-2026
Bus Strategy 2018-2026
Note – Bus strategy is changing nationally with the publication of ‘Bus Back Better: National Bus Strategy for England’ by the Department for Transport. View a copy of this document.
We will update the bus strategies, policies and plans on this page as we continue to shape our public transport policy within a national and local context.
Somerset strives to deliver an integrated quality bus, community transport and rail network, while acknowledging the challenges we face in achieving viable and sustainable passenger transport services.
The Bus Strategy forms part of the Local Transport Plan which we call the ‘Future Transport Plan’. The principle underpinning this strategy is to provide services and develop infrastructure that meets the needs of our customers: the residents of, employees based within, and visitors to Somerset.
Somerset Bus Strategy 2018-2026
Freight Strategy 2011
The Freight Strategy has been written to help support the development of Somerset’s Future Transport Plan. It sets out how we want to improve the way freight is moved around Somerset and how we hope to achieve this.
Freight Strategy December 2011
Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs)
Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) are focused, 10 year plans for developing a cycle and walking network within a local area. We have currently developed three LCWIPs: one each for Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil and further LCWIPs are being planned.
- Bridgwater LCWIP (expected publication December 2021)
- Taunton LCWIP
- Yeovil LCWIP
Motorcycling Strategy 2011
With the national increase in use of motorcycles, Somerset recognises the risk of a motorcyclist being killed or seriously injured is at least 50 times higher than that of a car driver. We are therefore fully aware of the need to improve the safety record of motorcycle riders.
The Motorcycling Strategy aims to support safe and responsible motorcycling but not at the expense of more sustainable modes of transport.
Motorcycling Strategy December 2011
Parking Strategy 2013
Note – Somerset’s Parking Strategy will be informed by the County wide Electric Vehicle Strategy, which is currently in development.
The Parking Strategy supports the development of the Future Transport Plan, setting out policies for parking throughout Somerset. It explains how much parking new developments need to provide and how this should be designed and managed. This includes parking for bicycles, motorcycles, cars, blue badge holders and other vehicles which have special requirements.
Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2 (2015)
The Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) identifies how we propose to improve the provision of public rights of way and service delivery in Somerset for walkers, cyclists, equestrians and those with visual or mobility impairments. It contains policy statements and an action plan.
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 placed a duty on all Highway Authorities to produce a RoWIP by November 2007. The first Somerset RoWIP was adopted in 2006 and has since been revised with RoWIP2 adopted in 2015.
The RoWIP is a requirement and part of the Future Transport Plan. RoWIP is to be reviewed at least every 10 years.
You can find more information on our Rights of Way pages
Safe Roads in Somerset: Road Safety Strategy 2017 – 2026
The Road Safety Strategy supports the overall vision of Somerset County Council to increase prosperity and ensure that we continue to care for and protect the people of Somerset and its visitors. We will adopt a Safe System approach to road safety, seeking to ensure that no human is killed or seriously injured as a result of a road crash.
Safe Roads in Somerset: Road Safety Strategy 2017 – 2026
Travel Planning Guidance 2011
The Travel Planning Guidance document is a set of standards that is tied into local development plans and the Future Transport Plan to aid the delivery of travel plans through the planning process in Somerset.
This policy aims to ensure that proposed developments contribute to modal shift; defines the expected content of travel plans; aims to ensure that good quality cycle parking and other on-site physical facilities effectively support new development; sets a consistent process for the delivery of promised travel plan outcomes; and describes the overall process for efficient and predictable decisions for the development industry.
Travel Planning Guidance November 2011
Strategies currently in development or under review include
- Somerset Rail Strategy (to replace the Rail section of the Passenger Transport Strategy)
How to influence transport policies in Somerset
Contact us providing the following information
- Your name, email address and telephone number
- The policy or principle that you wish to comment on
- Any suggestions you have for improving our approach to transport policy
We will evaluate whether your suggestions can be taken forward in future policy work and explain any relevant context that is informing our work.
We work to understand what people in Somerset require from transport. We develop plans to meet the current need and to manage future transport demand.
Current Downloads
Statutory Notice of Intent to Prepare an Enhanced Partnership Plan and Schemes
Somerset Bus Strategy 2018-2026
Parking Strategy 2012-2026 Consultation Report
Active Travel Strategy August 2012
Active Travel Strategy – Walking Strategy August 2012
Active Travel Strategy – Cycling Strategy August 2012
Active Travel Strategy – School Travel Strategy August 2012
Active Travel Strategy – Information and Communication Strategy August 2012
Bridgwater, Taunton and Wellington: Future Transport Strategy 2011-2026
Freight Strategy December 2011
Transport strategy archive
You can find links to publications that have now been archived, such as transport strategies, reports, funding bids and leaflets produced by Transport Strategy in this section.
Archived Yeovil Transport Strategy Review 2006-2011: Part 3
Archived Cycle Strategy 2006-2011 Part1
Archived Cycle Strategy 2006-2011 Part2
Archived Cycle Strategy 2006-2011 Part3
Archived Cycle Strategy 2006-2011 Part4
Archived Cycle Strategy 2006-2011 Part5
Archived – Better Bus Area Fund Bid February 2012
Access Fund for Sustainable Travel Revenue Competition – Application Form
Local Sustainable Transport Fund Bid Submission 15-16
Local Pinch Point Submission – Creech Castle
Local Pinch Point Submission – Creech Castle Addendum Information
Local Pinch Point Submission – Yeovil Western Corridor
Local Pinch Point Submission – Yeovil Addendum Information
Great Western Franchise Replacement Consultation March 2012 Somerset County Council’s response
Moving Bridgwater Forward – Local Sustainable Transport Fund Bid February 2012
Transport in Bridgwater – The way ahead March 2009
Transport in Taunton – The way ahead March 2009
Transport in Wellington – The way ahead March 2009
Yeovil Eco-Urban Extension January 2012 South Somerset District Council’s Second Addendum Review
Yeovil Eco Urban Extension June 2011 – Addendum Review
Yeovil Highway Infrastructure Report November 2011
Yeovil Eco Urban Extension Report- Local Representations
Yeovil Eco-Urban Extension Review February 2011
Yeovil Western Corridor Study 2006
Yeovil Western Corridor Study 2006 – Figures
Yeovil Western Corridor Study 2006 – Appendices
Yeovil Eastern Corridor Study 2006