Improving Local Transport: how small reforms could make a big difference Tony Travers, LSE Stephen Glaister, Imperial College

Local government and transport A key area of policy concern Not one of local government’s leading priorities in recent years LGA’s project How to develop transport within context of wider political debate Build on existing strengths….

Key drivers of this project ODPM interest in ‘city regions’ DfT interest in strengthening transport provision, especially in cities Treasury interest in regional productivity Lyons Inquiry and, most importantly…… LGA/local government concerns to strengthen local democaracy

Political background - 1 Transport Evolution of Regional Assembly/RDA role –also planning, housing –Strongly supported by ODPM, Treasury TfL seen as a major success –bus ridership, congestion charge Possible threat to PTAs –insufficient powers –political lack of friends –‘City Regions’……

Political background - 2 City Regions probably bigger than metropolitan districts, but smaller than regions? supported by Treasury, ODPM –GDP –productivity possibly with elected city regional mayors metropolitan districts generally seen (by ministers) as too small, fragmented

The purpose of our proposals To stimulate debate To accommodate the different interests of local and central government To improve the quality of government To avoid unnecessary upheaval To deliver better services to the public

The proposals To ‘build out’ from the PTA/PTEs and larger unitary authorities with a view to extending the idea to other authorities/areas To deliver a number of government objectives, eg, city government, productivity and transport improvements To build on GLA/TfL example

The new authorities - 1 Enhanced governance Leaders of met. districts; unitaries and other councils as PTA ‘board’ possibility of adding authorities to existing PTAs or unitary-based ‘new PTAs’ More powers Bus, rail network determination, frequencies, fares to be retained by authority? Possible ‘joint authority’ over major roads? Planning and regeneration powers from regional authorities?

The new authorities – 1a Additional powers (inc. finance) unlikely without enhanced political leadership existing joint authorities not always ‘loved’ Risk that if LG does not provide a ‘city region’ option, the Government will impose one at regional or city-regional level (not ‘met. county’) Either local government provides a vehicle, or one risks being imposed? probably at the regional level

The new authorities - 2 Increased financial autonomy fare income? Lyons Inquiry –congestion charge/road pricing –NNDR add-on –tourist tax –‘environmental taxes’ Transport Innovation Fund support to smooth transition Prudential Borrowing

Expected results New ‘metropolitan’ or ‘city region’ units with stronger governance PTEs already in place without massive and costly reorganisation Capacity to operate with enhanced powers over full metropolitan/city region area Financial autonomy to deliver projects that local people/businesses will pay for

Impediments? Not 100% of what central departments or local authorities want Need to reform ex-London bus/train arrangements competition rules? Existing PTAs may prefer to risk abolition Central government’s willingness to try an experiment

Conclusions Proposals are evolutionary not revolutionary TfL has shown how it is possible for a transport-based authority to lead the way in terms of local autonomy ODPM, DfT appear to support the idea White Paper due in June or July

Improving Local Transport: how small reforms could make a big difference Tony Travers, LSE Stephen Glaister, Imperial College