Local government consortia are set to be given a major role in how the new transport strategy for Wales is delivered.
The consortia of unitary councils covering the southeast, southwest, mid and North Wales – which once faced the axe in favour of English-style public transport authorities – are likely to be strengthened under the new national transport strategy.
The draft strategy, Connecting Wales, outlines calls for the writing of four regional transport plans, one by each of the consortia .
The strategy states that each region will need its own distinctive response to delivery. Welsh transport minister, Andrew Davies, said: ‘We are seeking views as to whether a flexible approach to setting regional priorities is supported, or whether the assembly government should play a larger part in determining the way outcomes are delivered.’ Current administration policy is to allow considerable local freedom.
When the consortia were originally threatened with the axe, Sandy Blair, the-then director of the Welsh Local Government Association, assured that the proposals could remove transport from the heart of local democracy.
But the WLGA’s line has now changed. A spokesman said: ‘The consortia make a valuable contribution to transport planning in Wales and we are pleased their performance is recognised in this strategy.’