A ‘ground-breaking’ agreement to address the economic downturn, via funding for transport and climate change schemes, could see Transport for London’s road network devolved to local authorities.
The City Charter commits London mayor, Boris Johnson, and the capital’s 33 local authorities to work together ‘more closely’ in order to improve public transport, and deliver better value for money for taxpayers.
Among the shared goals and objectives is the obligation for Johnson and the councils to ‘deliver the best-possible transport outcomes for London’.
Areas of joint action to be pursued also include options around securing greater local influence and management of bus routes, future strategies for door-to-door transport and the borough’s engagement in the revised Mayor’s transport strategy.
Revised local implementation plans to provide more flexibility for local partners and the promotion of cycling and walking also featured. Johnson said the capital could no longer afford a confrontational relationship between City Hall and the boroughs, as it was hindering the city’s development.
‘The charter will address the most pressing issues for the capital, ensuring we emerge stronger from the current economic downturn... and improve our transport system. This will mean looking at how we… ensure we get a fairer share of funding for London from the Government.’
Chairman of London Councils, Merrick Cockell, said: ‘The City Charter is not an end in itself, but a means by which London Councils and the mayor can work together to deliver improved services and better value for money for Londoners.’
Cllr Colin Hall, executive member for environment at Sutton Council, said: ‘Red routes, in particular, can be a major bone of contention between TfL and local people.
‘Devolving control to the boroughs would allow us to combine TfL’s financial muscle with our understanding of what local people want to see, and bring major transport improvements in all London boroughs.’ Welcoming the news, the Local Government Association said councils were the best organisations to make decisions on this type of thing.
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