Pinsent Masons’ head of infrastructure planning and Government affairs Robbie Owen told a conference on Monday that England’s devolution deals offer a “patchwork of powers” whose “variation is quite striking”.

He added that devolution is very welcome, but has not been particularly dramatic “both in terms of true financial devolution and delivery powers”.

“Ultimately, though, we are still hugely centralised as a country with massive powers still based in Whitehall,” he added. “Since the 2007/8 economic crisis transport funding for areas beyond London has been very difficult. Some radical change is needed for the funding of infrastructure.”

He went on: “It is helpful that Government is keen for things to be done on a bottom up / needs basis and it is clear to me that Sub National Transport Bodies and Combined Authorities are all doing valuable work.” But they will be assisted, he added, by a number of major changes: stronger policy support, much more financial devolution and better options for delivery.

Robbie Owen was speaking at an event that focused on the creation of Transport for the South East as a Sub National Transport Body. Delegates also heard from WSP’s head of future mobility Giles Perkins who said that the most important factor which professionals involved in shaping mobility’s future need to consider is not the technology, but the changing attitudes of people.

“As a 50 something man I have a different outlook to Millennials or those of Generation Z. It is really important we think about the segmentation of our customers as we start to develop strategies,” he said. “It is about those in schools and those going on climate strikes; we have to think about their world.”

(Photograph: Transport for the South East)