Parts of the UK may get left behind in developing transport infrastructure under a new funding system planned by Government, the Transport Committee has warned.

A report, published on Tuesday entitled ‘Local transport expenditure: Who decides?’ points out that far less money is spent on transport projects outside London than in the capital and changes to transport funding could make the situation worse.

As of 2015 the Government envisages that funding for local major transport schemes (projects of £5M value or more), will be devolved to Local Enterprise Partnerships as part of the Single Local Growth Fund. This is expected to result in much more emphasis on competition for allocation of funding.

Chair of the Committee Louise Ellman said: “This will not necessarily help regions get a fairer share of transport funding. Those Local Enterprise Partnerships which are well organised and resourced will have an advantage in bidding for funds. Other areas may lose out as a result.

“In addition, with greater reliance on competitive bidding for funds, we will see more money wasted on failed bids,” she added.

The Department for Transport, the report says, must make sure that strategically significant schemes, such as access to ports, do not get overlooked and that there is a fairer allocation of funding beyond London.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Chair Peter Box said: “West Yorkshire has suffered from a legacy of under spending on transport by successive Governments and I welcome the Transport Committee’s call on Ministers to use the Local Growth Fund to ensure that there is a fairer allocation of funding.”

Photo: Devon County Council

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