TfL-style bodies in LGA spotlight

31 May 2006

Strengthened passenger transport executives would take on Transport for London style powers over strategic roads and keep the revenue from regulated buses and trams under proposals in a Local Government Association report.
Expected opposition from metropolitan district councils over TfL-style bodies distributing local transport funds and having a new role in roads management would be seen off by giving them a bigger role on joint executives overseeing the PTEs. The LGA report, by Tony Travers and Stephen Glaister, written to influence the expected local government white paper, also proposes that the new PTEs would keep the revenue from fares in the same way as TfL does. This income – worth between £250-£300M a year – would allow the conurbations to take on prudential borrowing that would ‘take away difficult investment decisions away from central Government’.
Additional income could come from a council tax levy similar to that administered by the Greater London Authority and from possible new income streams such as congestion charging and tax increment financing.
The proposals could potentially allow schemes such as the Supertram in Leeds or the extension to the Metrolink Tram in Manchester – both scrapped because the Government refused to cover increases in costs – to go ahead. Report author Tony Travers said the ‘scattergun approach’ to investment in city infrastructure has hurt the regions for too long.
While Travers stressed that it was ‘a contribution to the debate’, the proposals were welcomed by LGA chair Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart as ‘putting the purse strings and power back in the hands of local people’.
Andy Kerr service director for transport and highways at Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, recognised the need for a body bigger than a local authority capable of seeing ‘the bigger picture’, given the overlooking of northern England in funding decisions.

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login

Sign In

TfL-style bodies in LGA spotlight

order biaxin tablets

buying biaxin

ordering clarithromycin

Register now for full access

Login