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London-style transport powers a must for the North East

The North East needs London-style transport powers if it is to truly get to grips with growing congestion in the region, according to the North East Chamber of Commerce. NECC has told the Government that there is a strong economic case for giving the entire region one over-arching public transport decision-making body. The point was made in NECC’s official submission to the Department for Transport’s forthcoming Local Transport Bill.

James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, said: “The North East has some very good public transport provision but it exists in pockets, largely in the more urban areas, and is not set up to help people to move around the region swiftly, efficiently and with the minimum of expense. Until we address this issue we will be fighting a losing battle to get people out of their cars and on to public transport, which is vital if we are to stop congestion damaging our economy.

“The existence of a passenger transport executive for the entire North East would go some way to solving this problem and allow for a much more cohesive approach to future transport needs.”

Earlier this year NECC introduced an annual discount ticket for use on public transport, available to employees of its member companies in an effort to curb road congestion. The scheme was introduced in partnership with Nexus, the Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) for Tyne and Wear. However, the absence of any similar organisation covering other parts of the region has prevented it being extended further afield, due to the different organisations that would be required to agree a region-wide scheme.

The Government’s draft bill proposes allowing PTEs to extend their powers and geography based on City Region areas. However, NECC has concerns that this would leave Durham and Northumberland with a second-class service and does nothing to solve transport problems between Tyne & Wear and Tees Valley. It should instead ensure it includes County Durham and Northumberland as full participants in the process.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .