§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he proposes to make decision-making on transport more accountable to local people. [59499]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone", has established the national policy framework to produce a transport system which is safe, efficient, clean and fair. Delivery of the policy depends, to a large extent, on action at a local level and local transport plans will be essential building blocks of the new deal for transport. The Government attach a high priority to effective public involvement, which will be a key feature of local transport plans. Our wider proposals for modernising local government will increase the accountability and responsiveness of authorities more generally. Transport users and local authority interests will also be involved in the Commission for Integrated Transport, which will be advising Ministers on decisions on transport at the national level.