A LOCAL Transport Plan (LTP) should be focused on improving the safety, comfort and convenience of trips to local shops, schools, parks, leisure facilities, health centres, offices, etc. LTPs should be supporting and improving local communities.

The Vale's Draft Local Transport Plan, 2015 to 2030, is primarily about reinforcing the Vale as a dormitory suburb of Cardiff, with residents working, shopping and spending their free time in Cardiff (the centre of the 'Capital Region'). Trips to Cardiff Airport and thus to distance destinations, are also given a lot of importance.

Multi-million pound projects are proposed to support the airport, including (£1.5m) bus priority measures between Culverhouse Cross and the airport, used by the T9 airport bus. But, a foot and cycle path between Dinas Powys and Barry is considered to be difficult to achieve and less important.

A £3m Park and Ride, to move people to work, shop and socialise in Cardiff is planned for the car owners of Penarth and Sully at Cosmeston despite the existing P+R sites in Wales each losing about £500,000 every year. Residents without cars are expected to continue with existing services.

Rather than link Cardiff to a car park, why doesn't the proposed bus service also stop in Penarth town centre and continue through Sully to Barry, supporting businesses located in Penarth and Barry? The short trips to and from bus stops need to be considered before any grand service is dreamt up.

Sadly, there is no mention of light rail and the many benefits it offers for local communities over other forms of public transport. The Draft LTP is a very uninspiring document with no vision and no ambition for communities in the Vale - and has had minimal citizen participation in its creation.

Whilst transport policy in Wales is focused on supporting big projects like motorways, roads and the airport, communities will be starved of the funding they need to improve infrastructures and services for the most basic journeys. Transport policy and planning needs to start with local trips, within communities, not regional, national and international trips.

Ian Perry

Penarth