Grayling promises "pragmatism" on transport devolution outside conurbations

The transport secretary Chris Grayling has told an audience of county council officers that "pragmatism" sums up his approach to devolution, which he sees as potentially necessary "if journeys are beset by congestion, delay, crowding, needless cost or preventable pollution".

He told the County Councils Network meeting: "I want structures of power, accountability and responsibility that work. I don't mean structures that work for the DfT, for Parliament, for transport operators or even county councils. I mean structures that work for passengers." Devolution "may be part of the solution" if transport networks fail to "enable people to get where they need to go safely, quickly, cleanly and affordably".

However, he stressed that "the devolution we've seen for cities might not be the right choice everywhere... counties have different requirements" and county councils "already hold significant transport powers" and he is against "the endless re-arrangement of deckchairs". Nonetheless, bodies such as Midlands Connect and Transport for the North "could be part of the solution in other areas too," he would "welcome any county's proposal for how things could work even better".

The CCN has pushed for devolution to counties including the creation of county integrated transport authorities and a greater role in the strategic planning of infrastructure delivered by Network Rail and Highways England.