20 September 2004

West of Scotland transport heading in the same direction

At a seminar this month, representatives from Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) and the West of Scotland Transport Partnership (WESTRANS) took the first steps towards reaching agreement on how the two organisations will operate together, following proposals to merge the organisations contained within the Scottish Executive's white paper, Scotland's Transport Future.

The two bodies will form the west of Scotland's new Regional Transport Partnership (RTP) which will be established to work within the planned Scottish transport strategy framework, set by the proposed Scottish Transport Agency. A Bill, establishing Regional Transport Partnerships, is expected to go before the Scottish Parliament this autumn.

Councillor Alistair Watson, Chair of SPTA, said: "We need to develop alternative proposals to those in the white paper. We are in the business of working together but we also recognise the real politik of the situation we face. I am very pleased with the way the seminar has generated a clear consensus with our WESTRANS colleagues on some of the major aspects of the white paper."

Councillor Richard Manser, Convener of WESTRANS, said: "The proposed new transport organisation in the west can provide a real opportunity to develop a cohesive and integrated transport strategy, combining the great strengths of local authorities and SPT to the benefit of the travelling public and business in our region."

The discussions centred around three key issues: the boundaries of the proposed Regional Transport Partnership (RTP), the political organisation, and its powers.

There was consensus that the entire council areas of the 11 councils in west central Scotland should be included within the partnership. There was strong support for this from the Ayrshire authorities because of the extensive transport links between Ayrshire and the central conurbation.

The white paper allows for different areas of local authorities to be in different RTPs so parts of Stirlingshire and Argyll & Bute might also be included where there is clear evidence of transport links with the Glasgow conurbation for work, health, shopping and education. This would depend on these councils' views.

Dumfries & Galloway Council is currently a member of WESTRANS but may not wish to be included in the new RTP as most of its citizens' employment, shopping, education and health links are within its own boundaries.

Councillor Alistair Watson said, "What we will aim to do is be pragmatic and recognise that transport links cross borders. While Dumfries & Galloway may not sit logically with us we will do all in our power to promote a transport network that benefit the whole of the west of Scotland. Parts of Stirlingshire might be included if they want to be."

The debate quickly discounted the white paper's proposals for how its members should be elected.
Councillor Watson said, "We need to make sure there is no dilution of democratic accountability. SPT's current strength is the cross-party consensus that has been built between the four political parties that make up the Authority.

"Proportional representation is going to lead to more hung councils. If we follow the white paper's proposal for one member per council, there will be political parties left standing on the sidelines with nothing to do but criticise what might be seen as another quango. The RTP must have a politically inclusive, cross-party membership with no block voting."

The starting point for the RTP will be SPT's current powers minus the power to sign the rail franchise. The RTP will also be required to produce a Regional Transport Strategy that will make the case for investment and infrastructure in the region. A 'shopping list' of other powers was also discussed.
Councillor Watson said, "I will be open to debate these issues at every opportunity to ensure that the west of Scotland gets the strong regional partnership which it needs for the economy and which it deserves, given the skills, experience and expertise here in the west.'

Councillor Manser added, "As chair of the Westrans Joint Committee, I am delighted with the way in which such a wide range of considered views were expressed today. These chart a clear course forward towards a strong regional transport partnership in the WESTRANS/SPT area. I am certain that both organisations, SPT and WESTRANS, can work towards building on the quality of service delivery and best value principles which we adopt in the west."

There was cross-party consensus on the outcome of the seminar at both the WESTRANS Joint Committee meeting on 13 September and at SPTA's Consultative Committee on 14 September.

ends