TfSE sets out powers in statutory status bid

Governance

Transport for the South East has set out the powers it will seek in its application to ministers to become a statutory sub-national transport body. 

Statutory status would automatically grant TfSE powers to prepare a transport strategy for the area, and provide advice to the secretary of state for transport on trunk road and rail investments in the region.  

In addition, TfSE is to request the following extra powers:

• to be consulted about new rail franchises
• to act jointly with the secretary of state to set and vary the rail High Level Output Specification and the Road Investment Strategy for the area
• to enter into agreement with other highway authorities to construct, improve or maintain roads – allowing TfSE to deliver regionally significant cross-boundary schemes
• to acquire land for road construction
• to make capital grants for public transport facilities
• to secure the provision of bus services, recognising that services do not respect local authority boundaries
• to enter into quality bus partnerships
• to introduce integrated ticketing schemes
• to implement clean air zones
• to promote Bills in parliament for regionally significant infrastructure schemes

TfSE is not seeking powers over road maintenance or the power to give directions to a constituent authority about the exercise of it local transport functions.

Not is it seeking powers to be a co-signatory on rail franchises  for the time being. TfSE is waiting to see the outcome of the Government’s rail review, which has been delayed by Covid-19. 

TfSE intends to submit its application for statutory status to the DfT later this summer.