Transport and devolution is under the microscope

Councillors raise concerns after Chancellor’s announcement

- BY ROBBIE MACDONALD

Rossendale transport, links to Greater Manchester, government investment in the north and devolution have been highlighted, as councillors and transport organisations respond to the Chancellor's announcements this week about Westminster support for tram, rail and bus projects in parts of England with elected regional mayors.

Last week, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the first investments from the government's new Spending Review, which will clarify Westminster spending for the next four years.

She said £15.6 billion was allocated for transport projects in England's regions which currently have publicly-elected regional mayors - including Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Liverpool. In Greater Manchester, the cash will bring some new Metrolink tram stations in north Manchester, Oldham and Bury at Elton Reservoir, where new housing is due.

But Lancashire does not have an elected regional mayor. It does have a new fledgling combined county authority, launched in February this year, which past and present governments have wanted as a first step towards Lancashire devolution.

At its February launch, the combined authority included Ribble Valley councillor Stephen Atkinson, who had observer status as a district council leader. But now, following the May local elections, he is the Reform UK leader of Lancashire County Council.

More government financial announcements will come next week, when the Spending Review is fully unveiled. Whether, or how, Lancashire transport schemes and the new combined county authority with a new political make-up are included in next week's government announcements remain to be seen.

'WE NEED A MAYOR SOON'