§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has in respect of trunk road agencies and passenger transport authorities after local government reorganisation.
§ Mr. RedwoodI propose to appoint a maximum of eight agents on a geographical basis to manage the maintenance of the trunk road and motorway network. I would like transition committees to agree by 31 December 1994 which new unitary authority in each geographical area should be appointed. The geographical areas should be similar to but not necessarily the same as existing highway authority boundaries and should relate to boundaries of the new unitary authorities. I would consider proposals for fewer than eight agencies were they to be presented to me.
In any area where it is not possible for agreement to be reached, I will decide which authority should be appointed, taking account of any representations I have received.
On reorganisation each unitary authority would become responsible for the delivery of socially necessary public 429W transport services and local transport planning. These duties include the need to consult neighbouring authorities about policy and service delivery.
I believe there is considerable scope for co-operation between authorities and that benefits are greatest when things are done on a voluntary basis. I do not see a need for the extra bureaucracy which statutory passenger transport authorities would create.