At least one regional transport body is set to return to Wales following the signing of a £1.2bn City Deal for the Cardiff region.
A successor to the South East Wales Transport Alliance (SEWTA) will be established to coordinate the new City Deal, Cardiff CC has revealed.
Welsh transport minister Edwina Hart surprised many in early 2014 when she announced funding would end for Wales’ four regional transport consortia, representing local authorities, despite her commitment to the South East Wales Metro programme of rail and bus enhancements.
Critics claimed such programmes had never been implemented successfully without a regional coordinating body.
The four Regional Transport Plans were replaced last year by Local Transport Plans from Wales’ 22 unitary authorities.
Transport is the main focus of South East Wales’ £1.2bn City Deal, formally agreed by the UK and Welsh governments last week.
Paul Orders, Cardiff’s chief executive, told councillors that a Cardiff Capital Region Cabinet would be established.
‘Through this, the 10 local authority leaders will join up decision-making, pool resources and partner with business,’ he said.
A non-statutory Regional Transport Authority (RTA) would be set up to coordinate transport planning and investment, in partnership with Welsh Government.
Having the status of a Joint Committee, the regional cabinet would be the ‘ultimate decision-making body in the governance structure’. It will manage the Cardiff Capital Region Investment Fund and additional devolved funding, be responsible for the RTA and oversee strategic planning of transport, housing and land use.
The RTA’s tasks will include regional planning for the local transport network, exploring a single ticket platform for public transport and working with Welsh Government to support Metro definition and delivery.
