Two new RTPs mean all four Welsh regions have statutory transport frameworks
The Welsh Government has confirmed that the North Wales and South West Wales Regional Transport Plans (RTPs) have been officially approved, meaning all four main regions of Wales now have statutory frameworks to guide transport investment, planning, and delivery.
image: Transport for Wales
Under the devolved governance structure in Wales, RTPs replace the previous local‑authority transport plans. The approvals also give Wales a unified regional approach to transport, linking investment, planning, and delivery to national targets for decarbonisation, economic growth, and improved mobility.
Each plan has been developed and overseen by the relevant Corporate Joint Committee (CJC), which brings together local authorities in the region to coordinate strategy, funding, and delivery. The CJCs will oversee implementation of schemes from 2026 onwards.
The statutory plans provide funding clarity, combining Welsh Government grants, UK Government funding, and local authority contributions. They also enable regional prioritisation of investment, ensuring that schemes such as EV charging networks, rail enhancements, and active travel infrastructure can be aligned across multiple local authority boundaries.
CJCs now have a central role in shaping the delivery of regional transport across Wales, with powers to enter contracts, hold assets, and manage funding, ensuring schemes are coordinated efficiently.
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said, “The approval of the Regional Transport Plans is a big step forward for greater collaboration across our regions in Wales. Regional Transport Plans set out policies for the implementation by local transport authorities of Llwybr Newydd, our transport strategy, in each region of Wales.
“We will provide funding to help deliver the plans through our new Regional Transport Fund. This will ensure that the investment we make in transport is adapted to the needs of each region and informed by those who know the region best. I look forward to working with all four regions on the journey ahead.”