Strategic Cross Border Planning in the West Midlands

Strategic Cross Border Planning in the West Midlands RTPI Planners, Birmingham 21/02/2018 Adam Harrison, TfWM

Transport Governance and WMCA Renaissance: Why the West Midlands? Transforming our place? Challenges and the Future

West Midlands Transport Governance Pre 2014 Passenger Transport Authority (PTA) / Integrated Transport Authority (WMITA) backbench political committee coordinating Strategic Transport Centro (WMPTE) carries out public transport policies of WMITA WMITA set out Local Transport/Strategic Plan (LTP) Local Authorities responsible for highways and spatial planning Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) responsible for Economic Development and Transport funding programmes (replaced RDAs) Highways England responsible for Strategic Roads Network Network Rail responsible for rail infrastructure

Local Enterprise Partnership Areas and Local Transport Authorities

Barriers to effective governance & planning Pre 2014 - West Midlands Constant changes in administrative, economic and political geographies Political distrust between Authorities i.e. distrust of Birmingham etc. LEP boundaries not commensurate with Travel to Work boundaries Competition between LEP s for funding Economies of scale in coordinating of planning, services and delivery for transport became weakened Wider strategic level for Travel to Work area also weakened

Key principles for effective governance Effective and clear structures who is responsible for what etc. Long term political commitment and mandate Selling the long term vision for an area Long term funding commitment Ensuring transport has formal links with spatial planning and economic development Organising Authorities useful way of achieving these principles Transport is massively relevant to jobs and employment and is an absolute priority for cities/city regions to prosper

Transforming governance 2013/2014 Governance Review in West Midlands West Midlands ITA reformed to comprise of Seven Elected Leaders of Metropolitan Councils Addressed Leaders desire for better strategic planning and having a One Voice message on transport matters West Midlands LEPs non voting members Transport schemes and policies delivered by Centro/PTE and overseen by a Transport Delivery Committee Created the building blocks for a later Combined Authority in 2016

Why? Political will ensured that Authorities put aside parochial issues interests West Midlands was experiencing strongest growth in economic output - GVA grew by 6% - nearly three times UK rate of 1.6% (2012-2016) Concept of Strength in Numbers and Government would only work with areas that had clear and coherent priorities Fear the West Midlands was losing out on Devolution opportunities and falling behind other major city region areas Governance Review undertaken to drive reform politically led

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Created in July 2016 to lead strategic planning and economic development Ensure investment benefits spread across area but not at the same time Tackle the long term challenges faced by all local authorities and recognised as priorities for the region: Skills and Productivity Transport Housing and Land Public sector reform Led: Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street

Regional collaboration

WMCA Strategic Context

Mayor s Role Chair of the WMCA Leaders of Constituent Councils (Members of the Mayoral WMCA), hold the office of portfolio leads for WMCA s responsibilities i.e. Transport Cllr Lawrence (City of Wolverhampton Council) Powers Bus Franchising as well other new models to improve bus services Control of a Multi-Year Transport Fund, ability to raise Mayoral Precept and raise Business Rate supplement Limited Highway Powers over a Key Route Road Network Greater use of soft persuasive / collaborative powers

Devolution Deal 1 & 2

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) Transport arm of the WMCA WMCA has adopted Movement for Growth - West Midlands Strategic Transport Supported by 2026 Delivery Plan for Transport Which plugs-in 2 HS2 stations to transport networks Aligning with land use and housing in key corridors TfWM collaborates closely with West Midlands Rail and Midlands Connect

Midlands Connect Midlands Engine creating conditions for growth in East and West Midlands Rebalance the UK economy away from London + SE Transport Arm - Midlands Connect Partnership Driven by Local Enterprise Partnerships & Local Authorities Aimed at ensuring future significant funding programmes benefit the Midlands in partnership with the Rail industry and Highways England

Midlands Connect Transport Strategy published in March 2017 Developing a proposal for Statutory by 2020: Sub National Transport Body Developing Midlands Rail Hub, Major Road Network and HS2 plans in E.Mids Exploring Housing and Strategic Transport Infrastructure Study in 2018/19 Close collaboration with TfWM and West Midlands Rail Perceptions of duplication of WMCA efforts

Transport Governance and WMCA Renaissance: Why the West Midlands? Transforming our place? Challenges and Future

Leading Economic Growth

But inclusive growth

Transport Governance and WMCA Renaissance: Why the West Midlands? Transforming our place? Challenges and Future

What gives us confidence we can deliver? Leadership & Collaboration Right Team and Right Governance Clear Delivery Plan

Restoring pride in the region

Land & Housing Key tranche of Devolution Deal 2 Housing Infrastructure Fund bids WMCA investigating new financing models Collaboration to complement the existing Local Plan and Development Planning processes

Land & Housing Mayor and WMCA published Land Delivery Action Plan New WMCA Director for Housing and Regeneration Gareth Bradford (ex DCLG) Ambitions to be showcased at MIPIM 2018 Creating a new sense of place

Mayor s Transport Priorities Busting Congestion New golden era for trains & Metro Making buses clean, safe and fast Supporting our world-class airport Supercharging cycling and walking Getting a grip of air pollution

New golden era for trains & Metro New 1bn rail franchise, fleets & capacity Biggest station investment programme for a Generation Midland Metro extension programme: Wolverhampton Interchange Birmingham Westside Birmingham Eastside/HS2 Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Wider 1bn East-West Metro Renaissance linked to housing & development

Transport Governance and WMCA Renaissance: Why the West Midlands? Transforming our place? Challenges and Future

Population, Congestion & Growth Programme Population Forecast to grow by 444,000 people by 2035 (Bristol, Liverpool) Growth Delivering ambitious growth and job creation investments SRN investment and HS2 construction Congestion Suffering from disruption caused by congestion, major incidents and ongoing maintenance works i.e. M6/M5 viaduct and M6 J10 Need to tackle reliability provided by the Strategic, Local, Rail + Bus Networks

Clean Air

Change in Travel to Work Behaviours

Next steps for Devolution Empower WMCA to take forward a fully devolved transport investment programme - greater flexibility and control of funding Increased flexibility over finance - land value capture and borrowing Greater powers for managing our network - road, rail and public transport especially to tackle future network disruptions Formal Spatial Plan? / Or a Step too far?

Summary Devolution is paradigm shift for how transport is governed and aligns to other policy agendas i.e. planning and housing New arrangements are empowering the West Midlands Helping us to build new and improved infrastructure to support economy and tackle long term challenges Mayor is making the case for extra powers and resources It s our time now we need to get on and deliver Complexities still exist in West Midlands and overlaps/clashes in governance i.e. health etc.

Questions

Adam Harrison BSc (Hons), MSc Transport for West Midlands Principal Transport Strategy Officer Email: adam.harrison@tfwm.org.uk Tel: 0121 214 7316