Plans to create a sub-national transport body in conjunction with a neighbouring consortium and deliver a ‘significant shift away from car journeys to more sustainable forms of transport’ are at the heart of the Greater Brighton City Region’s devolution bid.
Along with other local consortia, representatives from the Greater Brighton Economic Board (GBEB), which covers Adur, Lewes, and Mid Sussex district councils, Worthing Borough Council and Brighton & Hove City Council, last week presented their devolution offer to Communities Minister Baroness Williams.
The city region’s main strategic transport offer is a plan to establish a sub-national transport body with both national organisations and the neighbouring Three Southern Counties (3SC) devolution consortium, which covers Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex. In return, its ‘ask’ from central government is that planning, decision-making and investment for all strategic transport should be done in one place, at local level.
A spokesman from West Sussex County Council told Transport Network that 3SC shares Greater Brighton’s vision to set up a sub-national transport body and is committed to working closely with the city region on creating a joint strategy to improve road, rail and digital infrastructure. The spokesman told Transport Network that joint work on strategic transport is already underway.
The Greater Brighton ‘vision document’ identifies addressing capacity, reliability and sustainability issues across the city region’s network as its overall transport objective, citing increasing road congestion and an unreliable Brighton to London rail line as key problems. It puts a focus on the creative digital and IT sector and, in line with this and the region’s dependence on tourism, places emphasis on moving people within and to and from the region.
In return for a five-year commitment to devolve central government funding for transport, the city region is promising more sustainable and alternative transport and local transport infrastructure that directly unlocks housing and jobs. It is also requesting Growth Deal funding of £5m for the construction of a park and ride scheme.
The city region is also offering to develop further and roll out intelligent transport systems while asking for Department of Transport support to accelerate and extend Brighton & Hove’s integrated e-ticketing pilot.
Examples of what GBEB says a city region with devolved powers and funding could achieve within three years include a long-term transport infrastructure plan, a network of cycle routes across the city region and e-ticketing on all modes of transport across the whole city region.
GBEB says that within five years it could deliver a more reliable Brighton Mainline with less overcrowding and increased cycling, walking, bus and train journeys and a reduction in the number of journeys taken by car.
Councillor Neil Parkin, leader of Adur District Council and chair of GBEB, said: ‘GBEB went to Whitehall to present specific, detailed proposals which amounted to a compelling case for devolution of powers from Government to our City Region area. Our approach to Baroness Williams hinged on a quantified gap between what we’re achieving now and will continue to achieve with organic growth, and the added ‘kick-start’ that taking more control over our local destiny through Devolution will bring. I am absolutely confident that the Baroness heard our clear asks and saw the value in the offer that we’re able to make in return for additional powers.’
He continued: ‘Our team was drawn from the City Region’s local authorities, local enterprise partnership, business and academia to fully represent the ambitious programme that we have developed. This partnership between key sectors - not just between local government authorities - is fundamental to the boldness of our vision and success in delivery.’
West Sussex CC’s spokesman told Transport Network: 'Key proposals in the evolving 3SC proposals include a long-term infrastructure strategy so the county and district councils and Local Enterprise Partnerships can work with the Government to tackle congestion. In the first five years alone this would help to establish an integrated bus network across the 3SC and Greater Brighton areas with smart ticketing to help residents access jobs, education, training, leisure and tourism.'
A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said:'This government is determined to ensure power and funding is devolved from Whitehall to local people, so that no corner of the country is left behind.
'However, we’ve been clear that all proposals should be bottom up - it is for local areas to decide, according to their priorities. We welcome the enthusiasm from Greater Brighton and the ‘Three Southern Counties’ about the potential of devolution and continue to work on proposals with local leaders.'
The government is expected to make final decisions on devolution bids in the spring.
