Southampton City Council outlines transport priorities to 2028
Southampton City Council has set out its transport priorities for the next three years, outlining ambitious plans to transform how people travel around the city as part of its Connected Southampton 2040 Transport Strategy.
The 2025–2028 Implementation Plan, due to be considered by Cabinet next week, details the schemes and activities the council aims to deliver with its partners to drive forward the future of transport in Southampton. It represents the next stage in achieving the Local Transport Plan’s (LTP) “Big Ideas” and sets out how these projects will improve people’s lives, the way they move around the city, and how the city can capitalise on opportunities created by the Southampton Renaissance Vision.
The Big Ideas align with the goals of the Southampton City Plan 2035, which aims to make Southampton a healthier, safer, greener, and growing city, and to build a more equal Southampton. They also reflect the recommendations from the Southampton Citizens’ Climate Assembly, with transport identified as a key driver in achieving these objectives.
Among the Big Ideas are the development of a Mass Transit System, expansion of Park and Ride facilities, creating a liveable city centre, new active travel zones, continued delivery of the cycle network, achieving a zero-emission city, and improving connections between Southampton, the wider region, and the rest of the country.
The proposals in the Implementation Plan build on recent flagship schemes, such as the Albion Place Bus Hub and Arundel Gardens, which contribute to creating a greener and more liveable city centre. The recently introduced Weekend Park and Ride scheme also supports the council’s aims of making Southampton healthier, greener, and better connected to support economic growth.
Over the next three years, the council will continue working with partners, a future mayor, local people, businesses, and communities to develop major plans for the Mass Transit System – known as Southampton Metro, the replacement and enhancement of Northam Rail Bridge, the interchange at Southampton Central Station, and the Saints Mile. In addition, the council will deliver targeted improvements across the city to enhance bus travel, road safety, and support for electric vehicles, cycling, walking, and wheeling, maintaining progress towards the long-term aims of the Local Transport Plan.
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.”
The council’s Implementation Plan sets a clear direction for how Southampton will continue progressing towards its 2040 vision — a modern, liveable, and sustainable city built around clean, efficient, and inclusive transport options.