More powers over transport should be put in the hands of communities, says Fabian report

The Fabian Society this week has produced a new report calling for wide scale transfer of powers away from central government to regional authorities.

Marcus Roberts, author of the report, and Deputy General Secretary of the Fabians, explains that regional authorities, which would be similar to Transport for London, should be set up and made responsible for licensing and planning. This, he says, would make these bodies accountable to local communities, and help to rebalance the way money is distributed across the country (because at the moment, London receives double the amount of the entire north west).

Roberts explained:

“The huge local opposition to HS2 and Crossrail has laid bare the inadequacies of how we make transport decisions in this country. 

“Rather than riding roughshod over local communities, those making the decisions about transport need to be closer to them and bring them in at the earliest possible moment to ensure that transport decisions reflect their concerns. 

“Ed Miliband and Jon Cruddas have championed ‘people powered public services’ and George Osborne has spoken of his aspirations for a ‘northern powerhouse. Across the political spectrum, politicians are realising that the old model of Whitehall knows best isn’t working.

“It’s time for this approach to be cast aside in transport and infrastructure as well.”