Editor, Your article (New public transport authority at heart of LEP’s ambitions, Birmingham Post, May, 2012) reported that Midland councils had told ministers they could create 22,000 jobs and boost the local economy by £1.5 million if they were granted control of local transport, with no apparent mention of any role for Centro.
Centro is the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority.
It comprises 27 councillors from the seven councils in the West Midlands and promotes and develops public transport across the region.
We would point out that when the government consulted on setting up new transport bodies to look at the strategic transport needs of an area it asked local authorities and transport authorities like Centro to be at the heart of decision-making.
The consultation from the DfT was very much about the extent of which LEPs should be involved in these new bodies – the extent of that involvement could range from effectively being a full voting member to one of merely consultee.
We are still awaiting the response from the DfT and publication of its guidelines following the consultation but the leaders of the West Midlands councils have asked that Centro take on the strategic co-ordination role in setting transport priorities for LEP areas.
The government is also consulting on devolving power on railways to the regions and in this regard Centro, together with other West Midlands partners, will be expressing a strong interest in operating them on behalf of the people in the West Midlands Travel To Work area.
Certainly the government and local authority leaders here in the West Midlands see a very strong role for Centro in future transport plans.
Mark Langford
Media Officer
Centro
