Rethinking transport governance: driving regional empowerment

In an era marked by the cancellation of transport megaprogrammes and regional funding disparities, re-evaluating transport governance is crucial. Centralised decision-making has led to uneven resource allocation, making a paradigm shift in managing transport infrastructure necessary.  

The concept of devolution isn’t new, but recent challenges have spurred a ‘devolution revolution’, empowering local governments to address their communities' unique needs. Transport - a vital component of economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability - stands at the forefront of this shift.  

A must for effective transport systems  

The Labour government has made regional empowerment and equitable development central to its agenda. The English Devolution White Paper and the planned English Devolution Bill aim to make devolution the default setting across various policy areas, transferring power from Whitehall to local communities. This initiative seeks to unlock local growth through significant investment in transport infrastructure, addressing historical disparities and promoting regional development.  

The UK's transport networks are under intense strain, exacerbated by population growth and shifting demographics. Centralised decision-making has led to unfair funding allocations, evident after the HS2 Phase 2 cancellation. Despite promises to tackle regional disparities in the North, more needs to be done for equitable transport development. Data shows London received more public transport investment than the North-East and North-West of England combined in 2022/23. Similarly, the Midlands, particularly Birmingham, is key for transport development, and devolution of powers from London is critical for balanced regional growth.  

When considered alongside historical pressures on local authority transport budgets and the complex web of bodies responsible for transport and activity, there has been widespread recognition for a need to move towards a model that empowers local authorities to tailor solutions to their specific needs. This model should focus on creating a super-connected, globally competitive northern economy through ambitious and integrated rail plans, ensuring that investment in the North is both fair and effective.  

By granting regions greater autonomy in decision-making, local authorities can tailor solutions to their specific needs, leading to more effective and efficient transport systems. Local governments, being closer to the issues at hand, can implement changes more swiftly than a centralised body. This agility is crucial in addressing the dynamic challenges of modern transport infrastructure, from congestion and pollution to the integration of new technologies.  

PMOs and regional governance  

Combined authorities are praised for uniting regional needs, but local government structures present challenges. Combined authorities do not replace local councils, and the importance of integration and alignment – as well as careful management of differing priorities (and politics) – is critical for success.  

A Programme Management Office (PMO) can be the solution to these challenges. By offering a single source of truth, a PMO enables authorities to respond to local needs effectively. Through better data provision and analysis, trends can be spotted, and risks mitigated earlier. This supports better planning in terms of delivery schedules and budgeting.  

In a landscape prone to resource constraints, PMOs preserve knowledge, reduce attrition impact, and facilitate efficient onboarding of new staff. Beyond technical prowess, navigating devolution complexities requires nuanced stakeholder engagement, political consensus-building, and public support generation. A PMO’s strategic offering underpins robust governance, tying together complex local and regional interrelationships.  

PMOs also play a critical role in ensuring consistency across different regions. By standardising processes and systems, they help mitigate the challenges posed by varying local government structures. This consistency is vital for maintaining the quality and reliability of transport services, regardless of regional differences.  

Examples of devolution in action  

Devolution has enabled faster responses to local needs, enhanced accountability, and fostered transparency in governance. The Liverpool City Region, the first area outside London to control its local rail network with the Merseyrail concession in 2003, has seen significant improvements through effective coordination and strategic planning. The region has witnessed increased frequency, enhanced infrastructure, and improved connectivity, demonstrating the tangible benefits of devolved authority.  

In London, devolution has reshaped transportation, amplifying the role of the PMO. By entrusting more authority to the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority (GLA) over transportation initiatives such as the congestion charge and public transportation expansion, PMOs have ensured successful execution and enhanced coordination among stakeholders. This enhanced coordination is crucial in addressing the nuanced transport challenges across different boroughs within the city.  

Recent calls for further devolution in London from the London Assembly Transport Committee underscore the ongoing evolution of transport governance in the capital. These developments highlight the importance of effective project management in realising the full potential of devolved authority.  

A blueprint for transformation  

While the government's devolution plans are ambitious, implementing widespread devolution is complex. Establishing new governance structures, ensuring effective coordination, and managing transitions pose significant challenges. Critics argue that creating 'strategic authorities' could lead to new forms of centralisation, potentially sidelining smaller communities.  

Effective devolution requires clear delineation of responsibilities and resources, collaborative governance structures, and flexibility to innovate. By embracing these principles, key areas for devolution and reform emerge including funding mechanisms, integrated planning, and smarter mobility solutions.  

The spending review will be a critical factor in determining resources available for these reforms. Equitable resource distribution is essential to ensure all regions benefit from devolution.  

Utilising a PMO to underpin effective transport devolution addresses longstanding disparities while paving the way for a more responsive future. It’s a step towards greater equity for regions by leveraging strengths of local authorities with tools they need.