The future of Britain’s transport authorities is likely to be safe, if the Conservatives win the next election.
The Local Transport Act prepared the way for integrated transport authorities (ITAs) to disappear altogether, and consultations are going on in metropolitan areas to decide on how transport governance should be organised.
Graham Stringer MP, a Labour member of the transport select committee, said recently that the consultation would be wasted if it did not end in re-regulation of buses.
But now, shadow transport minister, Stephen Hammond, has thrown his weight behind the ITAs. ‘It is very difficult to see a parish council delivering a number of solutions that ITAs have delivered,’ he told Surveyor.
‘My colleagues in the shadow transport team will have a conversation about what drives the best value for money, in terms of local transport solutions. But it is clear that a number of decisions will probably have to be taken at a level similar to that of ITAs.’
He added: ‘That is a discussion we are having, and we have to ensure that the right level of control is reached so that economic, environmental, and transport ambitions are raised.’ The situation is complicated in Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, which have been designated pilot areas for city regions.
The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities has been talking with the Government since April, and it has been agreed a study would be carried out to see if Manchester, as a city-region, assumed responsibilities and influence comparable with Transport for London.
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