Agenda item

The Chair welcomed the guest speakers David Quarmby and Phil Carey from the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund, and introduced the item asking members to highlight any issues or concerns they may have with the report’s core propositions, and any areas where there is a shared ambition with local government.

David Quarmby and Phil Carey gave a brief summary of the key propositions posited in the report including the following key points:

·        The study has engaged with a great number of key stakeholders including LEPs and subnational transport bodies, and is keen to gain input and support from local government.

·        The UK economy depends on the roads network and it is vital that many local government controlled roads are included in the Major Road’s Network (MRN) alongside those under the jurisdiction of Highways England.

·        There is a vast funding gap in major roads investment which needs addressing.

·        The report suggests that power over local government controlled roads classified as major roads, remain with local government, with increased funding, and that the programme be integrated with the devolution agenda for transport.

·        The report has added approx. 3600 miles of roads to the Strategic Roads Network to be reclassified as the MRN. The goal of which, is to create an integrated network that takes full account of: users’ needs, economic growth, expanding traffic volumes, quality asset management and funding needs, environmental concerns, and changing technology such as self-drive cars.

In the discussion that followed, board members raised the following points:

·            The board asked the question ‘how are the propositions expected to be received among ministers?’ In response the speakers stated that while they have not engaged directly with ministers, the Department of Transport is close to the project and provides a lot of support and encouragement to take the proposals forward and engage with stakeholders.

·            The board note that in many areas governance arrangements are in transformation in response to devolution. The speakers responded, stating that they are attempting to design a sustainable system which can work across authorities and outlive current changes outlined in the devolution agenda.

·            The board asked the speakers for a more detailed map of the Major Roads’ Network. The speakers agreed that one would be included in the final report.

·            The board questioned the criteria used to designate a road a major road, and suggested that local government could play a role in this designation process. The speakers responded by stating that the criteria and designation process is a fluid process which can and should be adapted to suit changing variables and new evidence.

·            The board raised concerns over the environmental impacts of further investment into roads in response to this report. The speakers acknowledged the importance of this, and reassured the board that environmental impacts are a key element in the report propositions.

The Chair thanked the speakers for their time, and it was agreed that the LGA would engage with Rees Jeffreys over the next few months as the report is finalised.

Decision

1.    The board noted the The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund proposals on the MRN.

2.    The board endorsed any further input by LGA officials to help shape the proposition.