Councils are transport, highway, street-works and traffic authorities. ‘Transport’ encompasses highways construction and maintenance, maintenance of bridges and structures, road safety, public transport, active travel (walking and cycling), community transport, transport planning, traffic management, managing congestion and coordination of utilities works (this is not an exhaustive list). 

Councils are responsible for 32,000km of roads in Wales. This amounts to 95% of the total road network as the Welsh Government is responsible for the Trunk and Motorway Network. 

To achieve the aspirations set out in legislation and Welsh Government policies, Councils work in partnership with transport operators – bus and rail, the construction sector, planning, utilities, transport groups and especially with each other. There is an increasing focus on the impact of climate change. This involves reducing emissions by reducing unnecessary journeys, encouraging active travel and use of public transport. It also means adapting the transport network to be resilient to increased risks of flooding and extreme weather events. Councils are working to meet the requirements of new legislation that will, subject to some exemptions, make 20mph the default speed limit on restricted highways (where currently 30mph). That is aimed at supporting efforts to promote more active travel. 

Over recent years, Councils have managed the Bus Services Support Grant and Concessionary Fares Scheme which offer support to bus operators. During the Covid pandemic an emergency funding package had to be introduced by Welsh Government, again managed by Councils, to keep operators afloat. Post-pandemic funding arrangements have had to be developed, including a review of BSSG. Welsh Government is planning legislation to introduce the franchising of bus services. That will see further changes in funding arrangements. The aim is to achieve better integration of services (including with rail services) across Wales. Councils will continue to work with operators, Welsh Government, Transport for Wales, the Community Transport Association and other stakeholders to develop bus networks which support the social and economic wellbeing of communities throughout Wales.