Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on allowing a smaller group of local authorities in a region to create an Integrated Transport Authority if all of the local authorities in that region are not willing to take part.

It is for local authorities to develop jointly a proposition to change their transport governance arrangements, including Integrated Transport Authorities or Combined Authorities. Any such proposition would have to show that the establishment of an Integrated Transport Authority would be likely to improve the exercise of transport statutory functions and the effectiveness and efficiency of transport in the area. Local authorities have to consent to joining an Integrated Transport Authority.